mulligan & Kazan
Journalistic dramas are not new in Hollywood. They can make riveting viewing left in the right hands and this powerful microscopic look into the abusive reign of the sexual predator that was Harvey Weinstein is a sobering, fascinating and intimately ground breaking movie which tells the story of tenacious journalism and institutional sexism within the Hollywood machine, something which would ultimately spark a world wide movement against sexual harassment.
Two reporters from The New York Times, Megan Twohay ( Carey Mulligan) and Jodi Kantor ( Zoe Kazan) start to investigate an accusation that for decades Miramax film producer Weinstein had abused dozens of junior production staff as well as actresses on the Miramax payroll.
Weinstein’s legal team had effective buried any of the Women’s’ stories by legal non disclosure clauses, bullying and by other holes in the Justice system, so Twohey and Kantor have to chip away at an ever growing list of victims in order to substantiate their story.
It’s a fascinating tale, intelligently told by writer Rebecca Lenkiewicz and director Maria Schrader.
Time and time again the two women have to face dead ends , frightened witnesses who won’t talk and the money fuelled Hollywood legal system , that is until actresses Rosè McGowan and Ashley Judd risk all by opening their mouths at last.
Jennifer Ehle
A star turn by Samantha Morton
She Said is essentially a succession of “ victim interviews” by Twohey and Kantor, and as the story unfolds two pivotal scenes will linger long in the mind. The first is where former Weinstein aide Zelda Perkins ( Samantha Morton) tells the reporters of how he abused her colleague and friend, (an event she amazingly stood up to him for) and this scene , set simply in a London cafe it is a true masterclass of acting by Morton who I wouldn’t be surprised be nominated for an academy award for just ten minutes on film.
Another British actress Jennifer Ehle puts in a moving turn as another victim haunted by the abuse and Hollywood stalwart Patricia Clarkson puts in a solid supporting turn as the journalist’s editor Rebecca Corbett.
I can’t praise this film enough.
It covers so much ground,so much misogyny and so much abuse
And it seems incredulous to me that this investigation only happened in 2017
How sad and outrageous that this abuse could be hidden in Hollywood and, no doubt, elsewhere for so very long. It gives the old "boys will be boys" a sinister twist.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Miramax knew everything…..
DeleteI imagine there are still women being abused today sadly. I want to see that movie.
ReplyDeleteOf course there are…….
DeleteHappy thanksgiving to you!
ReplyDeleteAnd to you
DeleteI wonder of they were let down by the police x
ReplyDeleteI think the legal system let many down
DeleteSadly, there are many people who will cover up for abusers. Those who know and don't speak out are almost as culpable as the perpetrator, to my mind. Although, I suspect some do speak out and aren't listened to. xx
ReplyDeleteWhat I was so shocked with were the legal clauses designed to control the women totally.even after the abuse if they wanted to see a psychiatrist they needed his legal permission
DeleteHW wealth and power allowed him to act as he pleased for far to long. HW prison sentence sends a strong message.
ReplyDeleteAnd he has more accusations pending .
Delete83 women came forward following the publication from the New York Times
All accurate, unfortunately. My generation has much to answer for. However, re the film, nice to see a distant cousin in another great role.
ReplyDeleteWho is that
DeleteCarey Mulligan
DeleteLovely
DeleteWhy did it take sooo long for the women to out him? And some of those who did could be seen in old Oscar footage beaming alongside him on the stage. How many starlets took a chance this way on escalating their career path? I don't condone what he did but I don't condone the behaviour that came out about a lot of the women either.
ReplyDeleteOf course some of what you say is true . But he was a serial predator
DeleteIt happens in every workplace .. politics, government, corporate offices .. under the noses of others who see nothing, say nothing and do nothing .. and allow the perpetrator to move from one victim to another and so on .. leaving debris in their wake. Egotists making the most of the power they have.
ReplyDeleteI'll pass. Just the news broadcasts and Court TV programs alone about that disgusting pig Weinstein and how that system worked to victimize women further triggers me, makes me unbelievably angry. I think the movie would push me over the edge, so I'm taking a pass.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely understandable.
DeleteThis movie holds no interest for me. If i go to a movie i prefer fantasy instead of cold hard reality.. I also feel the 'Me Too' movement has got out of hand. Ruining people's careers and lives without even a trial. Everything seems to go from one extreme to another. Probably not a popular opinion but there it is unabashed and without reading any of your other comments.
ReplyDeleteThe leads are great actors. Morton is superb in everything she does. I read that Judd plays herself in what I can only imagine was a difficult reenactment for her. I look forward to seeing this film.
ReplyDeleteIt's reviews like this that make me pine to return to the cinema again, after more than three years without. I so want to see this one. However, I've now gotten so used to not leaving the cats alone for more than about one hour max. otherwise they'd be clawing the living daylights out of each other.
ReplyDeleteI am sure this movie will get plenty of Oscar notice. Unless it gets bashed for not recasting the women with woman of color :).
ReplyDelete