December 7, 2022
FILM: SHE SAID
DIRECTED BY: MARIA SCHRADER
STARRING: CAREY MULLIGAN, ZOE KAZAN, PATRICIA CLARKSON
RATING: 4 OUT OF 4 STARS
By Dan Pal
The word out there has been that people haven’t gone to see She Said in movie theaters. Why? Are filmgoers tired of hearing about disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein? Did people think the film was going to be too talky without any “action”? Are people (men) reluctant to see a film with the word “She” in the title? Well, any of these could be true. I’ll tell you now, you’re really missing something if you haven’t yet seen this film. It is a powerful, well-directed, produced, and acted film that ranks up there with the best screen stories about journalists, including All the President’s Men and Spotlight.
Yes, we’ve all heard what a scumbag Weinstein was when he headed up his own studio(s), Miramax and the Weinstein Co. However, have we really listened to the stories contributing to his downfall? She Said takes us on that journey as two New York Times reporters investigate Weinstein’s wrongdoings, specifically his sexual harassment and abuse of women. Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan play Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor respectively who won Pulitzer Prizes for their investigative reporting of this story. Both actresses do a fantastic job and, through their non-verbal and verbal communication talents, offer lessons in how to be empathic listeners, how to ask questions, and how to probe to get the real story. How they do this is a testament to both performers who clearly understand the patience and persistence their real-life counterparts needed to uncover the many sordid and private details embedded within this story. They never push in any aggressive way and neither do their superiors, played by Patricia Clarkson and Andre Braugher. The film shows that their jobs are not easy though. It demonstrates how hard it can often be to get people to freely talk. This is especially true during scenes when they investigate the settlement details that Weinstein reached with some of his victims. Anyone interested in going into journalism needs to see this film and the performances within it to see how real journalism works.
That said, the film lays out a series of interviews that the reporters conduct with many of the victims of Weinstein’s abuse. This includes actresses such as Rose McGowan and Ashley Judd (playing herself) as well as many of the women who worked for the man while at Miramax. One might think that this is where the film might get too talky but in fact, director Maria Schrader does a tremendous job at keeping the pace of the scenes and narrative moving. There’s never a dull moment, thanks also in part to fine actresses playing some of the victims, including Samantha Morton and Jennifer Ehle. Schrader also opens up the film with many scenes of the reporters moving from place to place and walking and talking on their phones. They are constantly on the go, allowing the film to breathe and the story to intensify. There are also flashbacks which do not over dramatize some of the stories but provide a stunning depiction of the pain some of these women endured.
Adding to this is fluid camera movement and slick editing as well as an excellent score by Nicholas Britell (Succession, Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk.) The music provides tension throughout the film that is never overly indulgent or overbearing.
My only qualm with the film is the presence of underutilized actors Patricia Clarkson (Pieces of April, Cairo Time, FarfFrom Heaven) and Tom Pelfrey (Ozark, Mank, Outer Range). Both are skilled and celebrated performers who are given little to do throughout the film in their respective roles.
Still, this is a top-notch film that sheds light on some of the atrocities committed by Harvey Weinstein. But it is also about listening, about letting people talk and share their stories, and about the persistence needed in uncovering truth.
She Said is currently playing in limited release and is available to rent on Amazon Prime.
FILM: SHE SAID
DIRECTED BY: MARIA SCHRADER
STARRING: CAREY MULLIGAN, ZOE KAZAN, PATRICIA CLARKSON
RATING: 4 OUT OF 4 STARS
By Dan Pal
The word out there has been that people haven’t gone to see She Said in movie theaters. Why? Are filmgoers tired of hearing about disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein? Did people think the film was going to be too talky without any “action”? Are people (men) reluctant to see a film with the word “She” in the title? Well, any of these could be true. I’ll tell you now, you’re really missing something if you haven’t yet seen this film. It is a powerful, well-directed, produced, and acted film that ranks up there with the best screen stories about journalists, including All the President’s Men and Spotlight.
Yes, we’ve all heard what a scumbag Weinstein was when he headed up his own studio(s), Miramax and the Weinstein Co. However, have we really listened to the stories contributing to his downfall? She Said takes us on that journey as two New York Times reporters investigate Weinstein’s wrongdoings, specifically his sexual harassment and abuse of women. Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan play Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor respectively who won Pulitzer Prizes for their investigative reporting of this story. Both actresses do a fantastic job and, through their non-verbal and verbal communication talents, offer lessons in how to be empathic listeners, how to ask questions, and how to probe to get the real story. How they do this is a testament to both performers who clearly understand the patience and persistence their real-life counterparts needed to uncover the many sordid and private details embedded within this story. They never push in any aggressive way and neither do their superiors, played by Patricia Clarkson and Andre Braugher. The film shows that their jobs are not easy though. It demonstrates how hard it can often be to get people to freely talk. This is especially true during scenes when they investigate the settlement details that Weinstein reached with some of his victims. Anyone interested in going into journalism needs to see this film and the performances within it to see how real journalism works.
That said, the film lays out a series of interviews that the reporters conduct with many of the victims of Weinstein’s abuse. This includes actresses such as Rose McGowan and Ashley Judd (playing herself) as well as many of the women who worked for the man while at Miramax. One might think that this is where the film might get too talky but in fact, director Maria Schrader does a tremendous job at keeping the pace of the scenes and narrative moving. There’s never a dull moment, thanks also in part to fine actresses playing some of the victims, including Samantha Morton and Jennifer Ehle. Schrader also opens up the film with many scenes of the reporters moving from place to place and walking and talking on their phones. They are constantly on the go, allowing the film to breathe and the story to intensify. There are also flashbacks which do not over dramatize some of the stories but provide a stunning depiction of the pain some of these women endured.
Adding to this is fluid camera movement and slick editing as well as an excellent score by Nicholas Britell (Succession, Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk.) The music provides tension throughout the film that is never overly indulgent or overbearing.
My only qualm with the film is the presence of underutilized actors Patricia Clarkson (Pieces of April, Cairo Time, FarfFrom Heaven) and Tom Pelfrey (Ozark, Mank, Outer Range). Both are skilled and celebrated performers who are given little to do throughout the film in their respective roles.
Still, this is a top-notch film that sheds light on some of the atrocities committed by Harvey Weinstein. But it is also about listening, about letting people talk and share their stories, and about the persistence needed in uncovering truth.
She Said is currently playing in limited release and is available to rent on Amazon Prime.