Bombshell

Definition (noun)

1. An unexpected and surprising event, especially an unpleasant one.
2. A very attractive woman

The irony of the double meaning of the word ‘bombshell’ is not lost on the cast and crew of the 2019 biographical drama from director Jay Roach.

A little over a year before the Harvey Weinstein scandal rocked Hollywood and sparked the #metoo movement, back when the idea of Donald Trump becoming President of the United States was still laughable, Fox News CEO Roger Ailes’ personal and professional empire came crumbling down after a fired talk show host, Gretchen Carlson, files a sexual harassment lawsuit against her former boss.

The film begins with a news style break of the fourth wall as Charlize Theron’s Megyn Kelly gives us a rapid-fire overview of the structure of the media goliath that is Fox. Although the brusque brisk run-through may be a little too quick for simpletons lie me to grasp in full, what is clear is that although the Murdoch family owns Fox, it is Roger Ailes that is in charge.

Through the eyes of three Fox ladies, each at different stages of their careers, we are introduced to the world of the notorious network and the powerful, predatory and paranoid Ailes.

Gretchen Carlson, portrayed by Nicole Kidman, is slowly being relegated into obscurity by her age and her refusal to play ball. Video compilations of snippets from her broadcasts along with her meticulous records of the systemic verbal sexism that permeates the floors of the Fox building is what sets the story in motion. As her lawsuit gains some traction and support from outside if the Fox family, those still working there close ranks and are passionately vocal and proactive in their support of the media mogul, donning ‘Team Roger’ t-shirts and adamantly declaring to anyone and everyone that nobody forces them to wear dresses. Kidman’s portrayal of Carlson is delicately done, her external steeliness does not quite hide the hurt and suffering inside, particularly after her adamant declarations that “other women will come forward” prove to be falsely confident and she is left fighting her battle alone.

Noticeably conspicuous in her silence is Fox News’ biggest star, Megyn Kelly. Having just come out of a verbal sparring match with Donald Trump, and knowing what it could do to her career, Kelly is apprehensive about getting into another sexist battle with a paranoid, power-hungry misogynist without knowing who will be on her side. I know very little about the real Megyn Kelly but Theron embodies her character to such an extent that she is almost unrecognisable. As a producer on the film, Theron’s interest goes beyond the character she portrays and as such her performance is compelling and powerful, cautiously balancing the woman who was subjected to workplace sexual harassment with the woman who has received plenty of criticism over the course of her career, famously declaring on-air that Father Christmas (of course) had to be white.

Whilst Kidman and Theron had the difficulty of impersonating real people, Margot Robbie’s Kayla Pospisil is a composite character and as such, she is afforded a little more flexibility in her role, and it says a lot to her performance when steals the scenes from the other female powerhouse performances. It is through Kayla’s eyes that we really see the extent of Roger Ailes’ actions, and his insistence that the news is a “visual medium” is demonstrated in a grossly uncomfortable scene that takes place behind the locked door of Ailes’ office. Seeing the wide-eyed wannabe anchor defiantly hold the women who kept there silence for years culpable before – “Did you think what your silence would mean for us?” – before dramatically breaking down and revealing her ordeal after she decides to come forward is something that will stick with the viewers long after the credits have stopped rolling.

Most of you will probably know John Lithgow for his friendly amiable ‘father-like’ characters but anyone who has seen his turn in Dexter will know that he can play menacing and chilling sadism particularly well and his performance here is brilliantly and disgustingly uncomfortable to watch. Other notable performances from the likes of Alison Janney as Ailes’ lawyer Susan Estrich, Connie Britton as Ailes’ supportive wife Beth and Kate McKinnon’s turn as closet lesbian – a sheep amongst the wolves – Jess Carr round out a stellar cast.

Bombshell is available* to stream on NowTV.

The Rig is available to watch on Amazon Prime*

*At the time of publishing.