Davids vs. Goliath

Kaleidoscope's newest is on AnnaPurna Pictures & Lionsgate's production of "Bombshell".  Directed by Jay Roach, the movie stars Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, John Lithgow, Kate McKinnon, & Mark Duplass.  Rated 'R', it has a running time of 1 hr., 49 min. 

This based-on-true events docudrama highlights the 2016 resignation of Fox News CEO Roger Ailes (Lithgow) because of allegations first brought against him earlier that year by Gretchen Carlson (Kidman) & later joined by Megan Kelly (Theron) & others.  In the film the ladies are joined by a fictitious character named Kayla Popisil (Kidder).  At the film's beginning, Kelly is probably the most popular female anchor on Fox News.  As she prepares to co-moderate one of the 2016 Republican Presidential debates, she plans to ask candidate Donald Trump about the controversial comments that Trump has made about women.  After questioning Trump, he goes on a Twitter rampage against her, including the now infamous, "She had blood coming out of her eyes; or blood coming out of her wherever!".  Although Ailes tries to protect her from the taunts, he becomes increasingly concerned about Trump's reactions to his defense of her.  Kelly is aghast at this, especially because it has prompted others to attack her, as well.  Meanwhile, Carlson, a co-anchor of Fox's "Fox and Friends", has been reassigned from the show to a less popular one.  She has also faced sexist taunts & actions by Ailes & others at Fox.  This prompts her to seek out a law firm about suing the Fox network for sexual harassment.  They advise her that she would have more success if she sued Ailes rather than the entire network.  Act I segues here not only to a story of Carlson & Kelly joining forces but also of Popisil's treatment by Ailes; what happens to her in their meetings symbolizes what has happened to all the others.

Roach, who directed the previous political dramedies "Trumbo" & "Game Change" (along with the "Austin Powers" franchise) directs with a flair for the outrageous along with the incisive.  The audience spends equal times in laughter, drama, and in a cringing mode over Ailes's & other's actions.  There is little that is wrong with Roach's directing style; the problems (such as they are) lie with Charles Randolph's script.  One is carried along with his dialogue & juxtaposition of scenes that cause that necessary queasiness.  He has allowed some inaccuracies & time shifts that cause the audience to question the film's veracities at these points even while being thoroughly entertained.  While one understands that this is a movie & not a documentary, the few stretching of the truths causes some pondering.  The cast is flawless.  This is, essentially, Kelly's story, and Theron (who looks as different here as in her Oscar-winning role of Aileen Wournos--altho they are at opposite ends of the beauty spectrum) is terrific & completely believable as Kelly.  The audience roots for her as she deals with a man who is a poster boy for the conservative movement while being a thorough pervert at the same time.  She should be considered at Oscar time.  Kidman, in a less flashy role, is convincing as Carlson who spearheads the movement that allows the others, who were reluctant at first, to come out against Ailes.  Robbie continues to show how she can persuasively play roles as diverse as Queen Elizabeth I, Tonya Harding, Sharon Tate, & the completely wacko Harley Quinn.  A stunning beauty with complex acting chops, her future is endless.  Lithgow is amazing as the despicable Ailes.  Although the adjective is so overused today, 'amazing' is very suitable for Lithgow's role here.  In fact, the adjective can probably be used for his entire career.  We are as disgusted by Lithgow as Ailes here as we are impressed with his performance.  He should also be considered at Oscar time.  The chameleon-like McKinnon is excellent as a character who represents all of the other employees at Fox News who must watch from the sidelines as the paradigm at Fox changes, if ever so slightly. The prolific Theodore Shapiro's score is appropriate, if underwhelming, throughout the film.  Barry Ackroyd's cinematography & Jon Poll's editing serve the movie well with slick photography & scene transitions.

I give "Bombshell" 8 out of 10 nuggets.  While there are occasional instances of inexactnesses, the film's drive, direction, & superb performances more than make up for them; this is a docudrama, not a documentary.  During this busy season, try to fit in this movie that differs from much of what is in theaters at this time.