LIonsgate
From filmmaker Jay Roach comes this involving, impactful true story about the outing of the head of a large news network, accused of sexual harassment by a former employee. That former employee is Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman), a fired anchor who exposes her old Fox News boss, Roger Ailes (John Lithgow), and it immediately appears that she is not alone in her claims.
Kidman is excellent in the role of Carlson, as too are the likes of Charlize Theron as fellow Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly and Margot Robbie who plays a newcomer to proceedings in Kayla Pospisil, a fictional character to the story. Powerful in its approach and accessible through the screenplay by Charles Randolph, who also wrote the superb The Big Short a couple of years back, Bombshell is completely jaw-dropping from start to finish. Lithgow devours the role of Ailes, adding to a recent portfolio of roles which, along with Winston Churchill in the first two seasons of The Crown, really do show off his acting prowess. Make no mistake though as this is a film owned by the three women at its core in Theron, Kidman and Robbie.
There are understated, quality performances from its supporting players, from an outstanding non-comedic turn from Kate McKinnon, Allison Janney and also Malcolm McDowell who turns up in the final reel as Rupert Murdoch.
Related: Bombshell [theatrical review]
Performances aside, Roach delivers a solid feature which skips along at a decent pace, though some scenes lack the emotional impact that one may have would expected from what’s going on, particularly if you know the story (it was covered in the recent Showtime limited series The Loudest Voice also). Outside of the U.S., some may not be familiar with the story, but the film, like The Big Short before it, presents proceedings in an always engaging, accessible manner and those turns from it talented cast are more than enough to deliver the punches when necessary.
We have an exclusive behind the scenes clip from the movie looking into the make-up, particularly Charlize Theron’s transformation, which you can watch below.
Bombshell is available on Digital Download now and Blu-Ray and DVD 18th May from Lionsgate Home Entertainment.
