Bombshell

 

“Liberal Hollywood is racist” “They are the elite” “They are very bad for our country” proclaims Donald Trump in a series of tweets. Its fair to say that Donald Trump and his supporters dont take to kindly to lefty, snowflakey Hollywood. So it was somewhat of a surprise that a film pops up depicting the main anchors of Trump’s leading supporting newswork as the heroines. Based on the 2016 sexual harassment scandal that plagued Fox news, Bombshell stars as Charlize Theron as Megyn Kelly who becomes part of a scandal that ousts Roger Ailes.


Their are certain crimes that are horrible whoever it happens to but that shouldn’t really stop any film or anyone analysing their characters including their own contributions to other forms of discrimination (racism, homophobia). Working for Fox News you’ll must have opinions that don’t exactly scream inclusivity or diversity (the idea of a black Santa spells the end of the world) but the film tones down these opinions to make them more likeable. Strange considering the fact that Nicole Kidman’s last line is “I don’t care if you don’t like me” but we're not given a reason to not like her.

However, I feel it’s a film whose heart is in the right place and is, to a fault, apolitical. It doesn't discuss that these women worked for a news agency that looked to discredit and discriminate people based on race, sex, sexual preferences, gender identity, etc. It can’t quite take on the fact these women have suffered greatly but also work for an organisation that perpetrates discrimination. However, it feels that politics isn’t important and whatever their politics what these women suffered was heinous. And it’s right, as the toxic atmosphere, the back stabbing, the whispers and the sexual assaults and unwanted advances are immoral. The film may make a heroine out of the three leading ladies, but Fox News is shown to be a truly awful place to work.

Led by a powerhouse performance by an almost unrecognisable Charlize Theron (it took me a few seconds to realise it was her) the film is powerfully acted by an A-list cast featuring Kidman, Margot Robbie (remarkable in a scene where Ailes forces her to lift her dress) and John Lithgow (plus some very accomplished actors in smaller roles). However, the real star of the show is Kazu Hiro whose superb make up work really captures the exact people (namely women) Fox News looks for – Blonde and white. I honestly didn’t see a single black, Asian or any other minority in the Fox News office.