She Said is a gripping account of dogged journalism

Posted on 13th May 2023

Rebecca Lenkiewicz’s solid adaptation of Jodi Kantor’s book of the same name follows in the footsteps of Spotlight and Post, as a team of journalists doggedly investigate wrongdoing that has been covered up by powerful people for what they perceive to be the greater good. Whether it’s the Priesthood or the Pentagon, or in this case Hollywood, it’s always venal self-interest masquerading as pragmatism, as is the case in this gripping expose of Harvey Weinstein’s serial abuse of his female employees.

Maria Schrader’s unfussy direction leads us through an investigation that attempts to uncover decades-long practice of intimidation, harassment and rape of young female actors and junior staff by Weinstein, pointedly revealing the superstructure of silence that protected him by threatening his countless victims with NDA payoffs. Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan are excellent as the two leads, but they are ably supported by countless fine cameos. Samantha Morton is outstanding as Weinstein’s former assistant Zelda Perkins, while Ashley Judd bravely plays herself. I dare say liberties were taken with the narrative – Twohey and Kantor are forever having midnight calls or on their mobiles while striding through the busy Manhattan streets – but there’s an authenticity at the core of this movie and pulls you in and won’t let go.

Ignore reports of box office failure in the US – this is the best film about newspapers since Redford and Hoffman chased after Nixon in All the Presidents Men. It’s heavily indebted to Alan Pakula’s masterpiece in structure and tone, but with one significant twist. Fittingly, these are female journalists, obliged to juggle their families while chasing their story. Bear in mind all the time you are watching that without the benefit of our hindsight, they didn’t know they were ever going to win this one.