‘Bombshell’ is an autobiographical drama film directed by Jay Roach. The film is based upon several women who set out to expose the CEO of Fox News for sexual harassment after he behaved inappropriately towards them.
When I was looking this film up to write my review, I was 100% sure that this film was an Adam McKay film, the director of Vice, as it has a very similar style to it; with similar hallmarks such as fourth-wall-breaking. If this film had been an Adam McKay feature it would have been one of his weaker films, there are bits of ‘Bombshell’ that are phenomenal but there are also bits that are lacking and underdeveloped.
One such phenomenal bit is the makeup on Charlize Theron. Theron plays Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly, who serves as the main character of the film, but you wouldn’t know it was Theron the makeup and facial prosthetics she is wearing make her virtually unrecognisable making her look almost identical to the character she is playing. The performance Theron delivers is also fantastic she gives off power and courage and makes for a wise if unlikely hero.
Nicole Kidman plays Gretchen Carlson, the woman who starts it all, and though she is only on screen for a limited amount of time she is fantastic. There is a scene where it looks like Carlson is going to lose the case as no one is coming forward and she breaks down in tears and then immediately pulls herself together when her kids come in the door, there is something powerful about this scene that can’t help but elicit an emotional response from the audience.
Margot Robbie is also in this film and unlike Theron does not deserve the Oscar nomination she has received for it. Robbie is terribly underused she makes do with the little she is given, but she deserves a meatier role: this isn’t her fault and it is more of a script-writing issue, but it did bug me. Moreover, Robbie is completely upstaged by the most unlikely of sources Kate McKinnon. Usually, I find McKinnon annoying as she overdoes her performances, but I liked her here playing a more serious role. I think the fear her character has for being a lesbian at Fox News is heart-breaking and I really emoted with her in this film; I would love to see her take on more dramatic roles in the future.
Overall this is a very important film that should be seen, it shows the lows we can reach as a society, but that as long as we have brave people who are willing to stand up and speak out, we can always escape these and reach a better society. I wish Robbie was given more to work with, but that is my only issue here.
Pros.
A Much-Needed Story.
Timely.
Great Make Up And Performances.
Cons.
Weak In Parts.
Robbie’s Talents Are Wasted.
3.5/5
Reviewed by Luke
Another Millennial Reviewer 