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One Movie Punch


Jan 30, 2020

Hi everyone!

I can think of a number of bad films for date night, but today’s film just might take the prize. One Movie Spouse and I went to see the film on one of our weekly movie dates, and it was a real buzzkill. Not for the excellent performances, incredible costuming, or insightful storytelling, but for the vile, true story behind Fox News. She’s going to be up in a bit with her thoughts, about the movie itself and the story behind it. I’ll just be over here swearing to no one in particular that Fox News is even still operating.

Now, whenever I feel passionate feelings come up, I turn to Aicila and Erik at Bicurean to help me sort things out. Every episode, they explore a different topic, looking for the underlying issues, and finding common ground whenever possible. You can find them on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @bicurean, or check them out at bicurean.com. Be sure to like, follow, rate, and subscribe! They’ve been huge supporters of One Movie Punch over the past year, and we cannot recommend them enough! A promo will run before the review.

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Here we go!

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<< BICUREAN PROMO >>

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Hello, It’s me Amy, AKA One Movie Spouse, back for another review. MWAH!  Listen to my review, then catch me on Twitter @OneMovieSpouse to keep the conversation going. Here we go!

Today’s movie is BOMBSHELL(2019), the drama directed by Jay Roach and written for the screen by Charles Randolph. The film sheds light on the sexual harassment scandal at Fox News, involving the exploitation of women by Roger Ailes (John Lithgow), focused on former anchor Megyn Kelly (Charlize Theron), former co-host Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman), and an entry-level aspiring employee named Kayla Pospisil (Margot Robbie).

No spoilers.

“Bombshell” is filled with an all-star cast including Academy Award® winners Charlize Theron and Nicole Kidman, and Academy Award® nominees John Lithgow and Margot Robbie. This film is based on the real scandal inside the most powerful and controversial media empire of all time, Fox News. The film is an explosive story of the women who brought down the infamous man who helped turn Fox News into a financially successful and socially damaging news channel. I did not know the extent of the scandal at Fox News and was shocked to see it all laid out during this nearly two-hour film.

Without giving details beyond what’s revealed in the film trailers, the most powerful and lingering thought I have after seeing the film is the courage and tenacity of these women. They had to endure years of sexual harassment at Fox News, and the impact of taking a stand against it. I was horrified to see what Megyn Kelly, Gretchen Carlson, and Kayla Pospisil had to endure to receive in order to keep their jobs and/or advance their careers. My husband and I have been enjoying “Mad Men”, and at times during BOMBSHELL, I had to stop and remind myself that fifty years later the same shit was still happening in the workplace. This film struck many emotional chords with me: disgust, anger, anxiety, and eventually some relief as their full story came to light. No woman should have to endure what these women did in order to have a career. PERIOD.

Casting and makeup was phenomenal in this film! It is remarkable to see the resemblance between Charlize Theron and Megyn Kelly, put their photos side by side, and it’s near impossible to tell who’s who and their similarities are uncanny right down to their mannerisms. Go ahead, Google it quick and then come back if you haven’t already made the comparisons. WOW, right?! And let’s talk about John Lithgow’s makeup and performance for a moment. Roger Ailes (John Lithgow) is a human piece of garbage! There are few times in my life have I hated a man more than this. I felt physical revulsion when he came on screen. BLECH!

I don’t want to end this review on a vile note, however. There’s a reason these talented actors were cast in these roles. They tell a powerful, albeit uncomfortable tale. It is my hope to anyone seeing this film that is being harassed or has been exploited at work to have the courage to speak up and receive assistance. There is no shame in sharing your story and asking for assistance.

BOMBSHELL is an eye-opening story shedding light on the scandal at Fox News. It tells a powerful tale of three women who had the courage to speak up and make change in this powerful media empire.

Rotten Tomatoes: 69% 

Metacritic: 64 

One Movie Punch: 7.0/10

BOMBSHELL (2019) is rated R and is currently playing in theaters.