Review: "She Said" Is A Gripping Cinematic Exposé

HOLLYWOOD, CA — #Metoo movement is front and center in Maria Schrader’s “She Said,” a journalism movie about the investigation that led to Harvey Weinstein’s fall from grace.

Adapted from the 2019 best-seller by New York Times reporters Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, “She Said” follows the journalists’ mammoth undertaking to reveal the truth about Harvey Weinstein’s long history of abuse and sexual misconduct against women.

Indeed, their journalistic pursuit at hand is no small feat, considering their end goal is to deliver a scorching reportage about a powerful movie mogul, who is widely hailed in Hollywood circles for his impeccable knack for finding or producing the next big indie film.

In the movie, Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan play Twohey and Kantor, respectively. At first, the two women journalists appear to be somewhat reluctant of their partnership. However, as their rapport grows deeper in their working relationship, so as their sense of mutual trust, while tackling a go-for-broke exposé.

Overseeing their investigation is the tireless editor Rebecca Corbett (Patricia Clarkson), under the advisement of the newspaper's executive editor Andre Braugher (Dean Baquet), who appears fearless and unrattled despite the increasing threats and hostility from Weinstein, who is heard bullying on a real-life recording.

Written by Rebecca Lenkiewicz, the screenplay is not about the two women per se — though it touches upon their personal lives and journalistic styles. Audiences will learn that Twohey, back to work from maternity leave, has been struggling with depression after childbirth. Meanwhile, Kantor is a married mother with two young children. Both women can certainly relate to all the rigors faced by overworked working moms trying to find balance between their family lives and professional careers.

In terms of investigative approaches, Twohey can be more direct as a hard-nosed reporter, while Kantor tends to be more sympathetic and sensitive. By the end, their complementary synergy gets rewarded. And slowly but surely, witnesses and victims from around the world find the courage to come forward and go on the record.

Among them are well-known actresses, who give credence and authenticity to the film. Ashley Judd appears as herself in a couple of affecting scenes. Then, there’s also the #Metoo movement icon Rose McGowan, who is heard only as a voice on the phone.

Mulligan captivates in her portrayal of a fragile-yet-confident Twohey, while Kazan electrifies in her embodiment of a compassionate Kantor. Both actors slip into their roles with undeniable ardor — just enough oomph; nothing more, nothing less, and always impactful.

“She Said” conjures up other procedural films about a team of investigative journalists and their investigations. One is “All the President’s Men," the 1976 biographical drama about Washington Post’s exposé of the Watergate scandal that brought down the presidency of Richard Nixon. Another is “Spotlight,” the 2015 Academy Award-winning film about Globe’s investigation into cases of systemic child sex abuse perpetrated by numerous Roman Catholic priests in the Boston area.

In all, “She Said” pays tribute to the power of newsprint and to the unwavering determination of investigative journalists in their pursuit of truth. Well-crafted and deftly directed, the movie is gripping, further elevated by the leads’ magnificent performances.