Journalism was once a profession viewed with respect and integrity. From Truman Capote and David Halberstam to Norman Mailer and Ernest Hemingway, the occupation gave names to some of the most notable and influential literary geniuses in modern history. Accompanying the rise of social media was the by-product of citizen journalism, and in particular, the era whereby fake news and the proliferation of misinformation became so prevalent.
The industry that used to be governed by strict adherence to ethical practices, that fourth estate which strained specific emphasis on accurate, honest, and fair reporting, has gradually transitioned into a self-interested, free-for-all of one-upmanship, sensationalism, and political bias. The old adage of “You are what you eat” can certainly be translated into one’s consumption of media — “You are what you read.” The increasingly extreme beliefs held by growing numbers are in no small part down to the often skewered, misleading partisanship of news and journalistic outlets.
Movies involving investigative journalismhave been both critical and box office hits in recent years, from Spielberg’sThe PosttoTom McCarthy’sSpotlight.Last week, Maria Schrader’s biographical dramatization of The New York Times’ investigation into Harvey Weinstein’s sexual misconduct,She Said, received its international theatrical release.
While it has been asurprising box office flop(grossing less than a fifth of what it cost to make), the film nonetheless sheds much-needed positive light on present-day journalism, and the importance of a tenacious hunt for accountability when those in positions of power abuse their faculty for their own, sociopathic, and grotesque sexual gratification.
She Said and the #MeToo Explosion
The #MeToo movementthat challenged the global patriarchal oppression of women, and more specifically in relation to female victims of sexual violence and abuse, can be traced right back to a 2006 MySpace post. However, it wasn’t until 2017, when in response to the multiple accusations against film mogul Harvey Weinstein, that the campaign truly ignited internationally.She Saiddepicts the catalyst of the #MeToo movement, and the moments that led to sexual abuse victims’ subsequent reclamation of their voices.
Related:She Said Review: This Grounded Investigative Journalism Story is a Keeper
Through director Schrader’s portrayal of the tireless work of two reporters at The New York Times, we are given unprecedented insight into the process of uncovering the scandal, and the bravery of the victims to come forward. Via harrowing true-to-the-word accounts and real-life audio clips, the film reveals the exact extent of Weinstein’s crimes and the torment he subjected his victims to.She Saidcenters around the relentless work of two strong, resilient, and fearless female protagonists, Megan Twohey (a great Carey Mulligan) and Jodi Kantor (a passionate Zoe Kazan), who remain determined in their pursuit, despite the endless obstacles cast in their way.
The Empowerment of Women
Twohey and Kantor are empowered by their jobs, which includes an obligation to expose the truth, but also their motherhood, as the two juggle work with hectic family lives (arguably the hardest job of them all). Through the two women’s endeavors, the prospective glimmer of justice begins to shine through the cracks of Weinstein’s multiple hush-money settlements, and the detailed piecing together of various testimonies.
Related:Spokesperson Says Harvey Weinstein ‘Would Have Known’ That She Said Would Bomb
Much is made of the recovery of the female voice lost to Weinstein in his sordid hotel lair where he’d so often coerce young women (actors and employees) into sexual acts, and rape through his treacherous intimidation, and shameless bullying tactics. The courageous attestations of victims includes actor Ashley Judd, who plays herself, as well as former employees Zelda Perkins (Samantha Morton), Laura Madden (Jennifer Ehle), and Rowena Chiu (Angela Yeoh). All of their scenes are demonstrative of the power this remarkable group of women had as a collective when confronted with the issue of systemic sexual abuse at the hands of a seemingly untouchable predator surrounded by a fortified structure of silence.
An Accurate and Non-Sensationalist Take on Weinstein’s Abuses
She Saidis a sensitive yet direct portrayal of the Weinstein scandal, like the two reporters at the story’s very heart, it’s a picture that wants to achieve a presentation of the unadulterated truth. The film never sensationalizes for want of shocking effect; it simply lays the facts out in front of us before piecing them together. For a movie that depicts such callous, unforgivable cruelty, it does phenomenally well at refraining from passing judgment.She Saidallows the damning indictment of Weinstein to be told through the medium of the victim’s heartfelt testimonies and the harrowing voice recordings.
Though there was undoubtedly a temptation on the filmmaker’s part to call a spade a spade (and a monstrous, perverted rapist a monstrous, perverted rapist), the drama is assembled in such a matter-of-fact way that the audience is left to decipher and deduce their own verdict from the evidence provided. Ultimately, this is a film that’s only tangentially about Harvey Weinstein, and instead offers those affected a platform for their voices to be heard.
There was substantial media fanfare surrounding Hollywood A-list names who were affected by Weinstein, like Gwyneth Paltrow, Rose McGowan, and Salma Hayek; however,She Saidis a film that serves as a stage for those Weinstein thought he was able to bulldoze and manipulate into silence. This is a movie for the runners, the production assistants, the massage therapists, and the waitresses — those that Weinstein underestimated as too inconsequential, too scared. While Weinstein cheated and slithered his way through the battles, ultimately, the women he profoundly damaged won the war.
