By Seth Lukas Hynes
Bombshell
Starring Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron and Margot Robbie
Rated M
Bombshell is an engaging, well-acted true-story drama marred by significant structural issues.
The film dramatises a landmark 2016 sexual harassment case, led by Fox newscaster Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman), against Fox News CEO Roger Ailes (John Lithgow).
Bombshell has crackling dialogue and remarkable performances of resolve and suppressed trauma. The film has a darkly comedic tone at times, depicting Fox News as full of hypocrisy and ego, but these moments contribute to the film’s glitzy yet oppressive atmosphere. As horrific personal stories emerge, and Carlson and newscaster Megyn Kelly (Charlize Theron) face opposition even from people they trust, Bombshell starkly illustrates how a culture of loyalty and silence can normalise abuse.
Unfortunately, Bombshell feels more like a compelling bunch of parts than a cohesive whole, as the three main characters – Carlson, Kelly and young newscaster Kayla (Margot Robbie) – barely even interact or meet within the narrative.
Kelly’s clash with Donald Trump over the latter’s derogatory comments, while relevant to the theme of mistreating women, feels extraneous to the driving conflict. The film alludes to powerful Fox News figure Bill O’Reilly’s history of sexual misconduct, but leaves this plot-thread underdeveloped and hanging.
Bombshell is a witty yet hard-hitting film with strong performances, but the main characters are too isolated and the plot has too many detours.
