New York Times reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor break one of the most important stories in a generation — a story that helped launch the #MeToo movement and shattered decades of silence around the subject of sexual assault in Hollywood.
Pam says
Take a deep breath to ready yourself to see “She Said,” starring Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan as the two brave and determined New York Times journalists who helped launch the #MeToo movement. We all know the story of Harvey Weinstein, but what we don’t know is the journey these two women, Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor, traveled to bring us the article that would just be the tip of the iceberg and would change the world.
Twohey, pregnant with her first child and Kantor, the mother of two young children, connect at work, discovering a disturbing trend in Hollywood, particularly with Harvey Weinstein. Together these women with the support of their superiors, Rebecca Corbett (Patricia Clarkson) and Dean Baquet (Andre Braugher), investigate the stories of the countless women whose lives changed because of Weinstein. Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan, two of the first women to speak out, are key names and stories but going on the record hasn’t, in the past, done these women any good. Blackballed by Hollywood, it’s a common story of those who don’t give in to Weinstein. Twohey and Kantor peel back the layers of Hollywood and talk with many of the women around the world whose stories are horrifyingly devastating.
The individual stories include Laura Madden (Jennifer Ehle), Rowena Chiu (Angela Yeah), and Zelda Perkins, all of whom stayed silent, either through an NDA — this in and of itself is a tragic legal item — or as a coping mechanism, share their heartbreaking memory through flashbacks in time. We live their nightmare with them as they find their lives shaken and now taking a new direction. Their dreams are shattered and their greatest fears have become a reality. Watching these stories unfold is angering; the emotion building like a volcano about to burst. And learning of the death threats the journalists received along with other intimidation factors is simply unnerving. Their tenacity to continue to fight for the truth in the hopes of helping future women and their own daughters’ safety, Twohey and Kantor persevere.
Again, we know the outcome of the NYT journalists’ efforts, but with “She Said,” we walk next to them on this journey. We see the emotional toll it takes on both of them, especially Twohey who is also suffering from postpartum depression. Their family life is non-existent as this research takes top priority giving such credit to their husbands as the task of any home life falls on their shoulders. Their support is paramount to their wives actually making a difference and succeeding.
The story unfolds like a thriller as we are on the edge of our seats, turning the pages of the book to find out the details of their endeavors. Using the NYT article and book, screenwriter Rebecca Lenkiewicz delivers a script that is clear and concise while never losing emotional relevance. We see this with each and every interview Twohey and Kantor have, understanding the effects of one selfish and pathetic yet powerful man who discarded women like pieces of trash. Every woman handled it differently, but every woman had a lasting scar that never healed deep within.
“She Said” is a compelling story brought to life by Kazan and Mulligan with brilliant nuance. They highlight the strength of their characters while also tuning into who these working women are. Their personalities are complex, each of them struggling at different points in the story, painting a complete portrait of Kantor and Twohey. By the end, we are cheering as tears stream down our cheeks. It’s as if we have lived through every moment with them. This roller coaster of emotions experienced throughout the film leaves you exhausted and angry as well as hopeful and thankful. We are hopeful for our future and we are thankful for the strength and resiliency of Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor. They changed the world for the better. And I thank them, for myself and for my daughter.
4 Stars
Chuck says:
Without question, the reporting done by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey to expose the serial sexual abuse committed by Harvey Weinstein was one of the most significant pieces of journalism in the 21st century. Not only did it topple a giant of the media industry, but it sparked a movement that helped to reveal a culture of abuse by empowering women to speak with confidence about their own horrific experiences. A landmark piece of investigative writing, the story behind this story is as fascinating as the one these two brave women penned.
It’s unfortunate that Maria Schrader’s “She Said” lacks the sense of urgency or power it deserves. Often disjointed and glossing over key events, the film takes a patchwork approach in portraying the extensive efforts of Kantor and Twohey, highlighting the key breakthroughs they needed to verify their story but leaving others tantalizingly unexplored. Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan are very good in the lead roles, their conviction sure, their frustration palpable.
However, the script by Rebecca Lenkiewicz doesn’t get the job done. Significant events are mentioned but never explored (Ronan Farrow’s competing story), the reporters’ backgrounds are sketchily filled in and a key witness (Jennifer Ehle) is introduced, forgotten, and then dropped in deus ex machina style during the third act.
To be sure, there are moments, a scene with Samantha Morton as a former Weinstein employee being particularly gripping. In the end, that’s the problem with the film – it grabs you, then lets you go. There is far too much material to be covered in a two-hour movie. A better approach would be an in-depth, multi-hour TV documentary, one I hope sees the light of day as this story – and the women in it – deserve a more comprehensive, inclusive look.
2 1/2 Stars
