The New York Times’ scathing investigation into Harvey Weinstein and his actions against women takes centre stage in Maria Schrader’s “She Said.” The film follows reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor and their grueling months-long investigation as they deal with dead-end leads, constant streams of threats and intimidation, and a sprawling web of women who fell victim to Weinstein. Schrader’s adaptation of Twohey and Kantor’s 2019 novel brings the story of one of Hollywood’s biggest scandals to the screen, a scandal that helped ignite the #MeToo movement and pushed for major change towards the treatment of women in the workplace.
In 2017, the New York Times decides to launch investigations into sexual harassment in the workplace. Investigative journalist Jodi Kantor (Zoe Kazan) begins to focus her investigation on Hollywood after receiving a tip that actress Rose McGowan was sexually assaulted by prolific producer Harvey Weinstein in 1997. Kantor speaks to Gwyneth Paltrow and Ashley Judd about their experiences. However, her investigation stalls when the actresses refuse to go on record for fear of retribution toward their careers.
Piecing Together the Case Against Weinstein
Frustrated Kantor enlists the help of fellow reporter Megan Twohey (Carey Mulligan). Together the pair uncover shocking secrets about Weinstein and his cover-up. The film details the uncovering of decades-worth of assault and abuse, numerous settlements and NDAs, and the ruining of countless lives in the process. As publication nears, Weinstein refuses to admit to any wrongdoing. But when the article publishes, it exposes his decades of abuse, assault, and rape to the world. It not only stops Weinstein, but ignites a worldwide movement.
Mulligan and Kazan give terrific turns as Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor, leading a cast full of sensational performances. With the determination of Mulligan and Kazan to tell these women’s stories, their performances exude a burning passion for journalism. It makes both acting performances thoroughly enjoyable to watch. Jennifer Ehle, Angela Yeoh, and Samantha Morton—who each portray some of Weinstein’s victims—deliver compelling performances. They are moving and sensitive, and convey the horrific experiences these women endured. While actresses portray most of Weinstein’s victims in the film, Ashley Judd and Gwyneth Paltrow both star as themselves—although Paltrow only appears via a voice cameo while on the phone with Kantor (Kazan).
A scene from “She Said.” (Photo: Universal Pictures).
Screenwriter Rebecca Lenkiewicz (“Disobedience”) brilliantly adapts Kantor and Twohey’s novel for the big screen, composing a compelling screenplay that balances shocking drama with vulnerable emotions. The film’s pace, mixed with outrageous reveals and twists, comfortably fills the two-hour run-time. It helps in keeping audiences constantly on the edge of their seat.
Powerful Performances and a Gripping Narrative
Even though “She Said” feels wordy at times, each word spoken lingers with you. The dialogue doesn’t feel unwarranted or unnecessary at any point, and allows these emotional stories to be told. Director Maria Schrader (“I’m Your Man”) crafts a film that neatly brings one of Hollywood’s biggest scandals to the big screen in a way that doesn’t feel cheap or inauthentic. Three-time Oscar nominee Nicholas Britell composes a sombre score that marvelously reflects the tone of the film. He mixes melodic piano pieces with the deep sounds of a cello (the instrumentation is courtesy of cellist Caitlin Sullivan).
One of 2022’s most insightful and rousing films, “She Said” is driven by powerful performances and a gripping narrative. Maria Schrader brings audiences an urgent story that delivers an important message. It highlights the gross amounts of sexual misconduct occurring in Hollywood for decades, and how much damage one man caused over a 30-year career. Schrader expertly highlights the power of journalism and the impact it can have, creating a film that feels akin to Tom McCarthy’s “Spotlight” and Steven Spielberg’s “The Post.” Tense, enthralling, and shocking, “She Said” is one of the most compelling films of this year and an absolute must-watch.
“She Said” is currently only available to watch in theaters.
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