Bombshell February 6, 2020
The word bombshell can be used as a double entendre. In the
news it is an important fast breaking story. In the golden age of Hollywood a
bombshell was an alluring gorgeous starlet
(see Hedy Lamar, doc. “Bombshell”) . This move has both. The film is a quasi-documentary
with actual footage of events and in most instances uses real names.
The film is fast paced and since most everyone knows the
story it feels a bit voyeuristic, but in a good way. The ensemble is terrific.
I almost did not recognize Charlize Theron as Megan Kelly; the make-up was incredible.
Not only did she look like Kelly, she captured her uncompromising attitude. Nicole Kidman played Gretchen
Carlson with a stunning resemblance and a deep sense of betrayal. Margot Robbie
plays Kayla Pospisil a fictional character. She is symbolic of all the victims
of sexual abuse at the hands of Roger Ailes. She is junior to the other two news women and her ambition
and naivete make her a perfect target. Roger Ailes is played by the incomparable John Lithgow in a fat suit. Lithgow is masterful
he plays Ailes as a dictatorial pig dangling choice spots on the news as bait to
ambitious young women. Katie McKinnon plays a closeted lesbian with the door ajar.
Her trademark humor is tinged with sadness and fear. Even if briefly, it was
great to see Malcolm McDowell as Rupert Murdoch, an uncanny resemblance.
The Fox newsroom is toxic. Everyone fears Ailes and are scared
of losing their jobs. The women wear skirts at work so their legs can be seen
through glass tables. It was fun trying
to see how accurately the actors resembled
the real people. Sean Hannity had
a revolver in his waist belt, oblivious that
New York does not permit concealed weapons.
Charlize Theron in nominated for best actress and Margot
Robbie is nominated for best supporting actress, both well deserved. What about
Nicole Kidman? Her performance is Oscar worthy. Gretchen was the catalyst that
brought down Ailes and Kidman played her role with profound pathos and grit.
