I’m a former television journalist. I watched this movie through the lens of a former television journalist. Bombshell creates a conversation about television news, sexism, sexual harassment, climbing the career ladder… etcetera, etcetera, etcetera…

Story: Something about this story just doesn’t click for me. It’s got facts… all of the elements of a true story are there… it just has no grab. While I accept that the business of news is supposed to be fact based and that may not be so interesting, I think this story is missing the element of any art. Unlike documentaries, most movies have some artistic value. Crickets…

The only element of this story that really struck me is the realization/admission by Fox employees that they can’t go anywhere else in television. The other networks don’t acknowledge Fox as credible and as such, don’t acknowledge their talent as legitimate.
SPOT ON…

Performances: This movie is littered with big names; John Lithgow as Roger Ailes, Charlize Theron as Megyn Kelly, Nicole Kidman as Gretchen Carlson and Margot Robbie too! But, none of these performances are standouts. All of those actors have delivered MUCH better performances, in many other roles. I’m gobsmacked at how disconnected I felt from all of these performances. No Oscars here…

Visual: Newsroom. Studios. Control room. Three Blondes. This all looked as expected. And it is clear that LOOKS matter more than anything else if you want to be in the anchor chair… Especially at Fox News.

Rating: C. Not good, not bad…

When I first heard Gretchen Carlson was suing Roger Ailes for sexual harassment, I shrugged and said, “Well, I’m sure it’s true. Let’s see what happens…”. As did every television journalist.

If you’ve worked in television, it’s validation – somewhat – of many of the potholes one must dodge in a newsroom. But for those who have not worked in television news, I can’t say it’s valuable entertainment.

If you have other movies on your list of must sees, see them first. See Bombshell if you have no other choices or nothing else to do…