She Said

Based on true events, She Said follows reporters Jodi Kantor (Zoe Kazan) and Megan Twohey (Carey Mulligan) as they attempt to expose Harvey Weinstein’s history of sexual abuse and misconduct. It’s intriguing subject matter that’s employed to erratic yet periodically engrossing effect by Maria Schrader, as the filmmaker, armed with Rebecca Lenkiewicz’s screenplay, delivers a fairly standard journalism drama that’s enhanced by its low-key, seemingly authentic atmosphere and smattering of first-class performances – with, in terms of the latter, Kazan and Mulligan’s excellent work here is matched (and then some) by a top-notch supporting cast that includes Andre Braugher, Patricia Clarkson, and Samantha Morton. And although Schrader has peppered the proceedings with a handful of electrifying sequences (eg Kantor speaks to a man unaware of his wife’s history with Weinstein), She Said progresses into a bloated, repetitive midsection that’s been suffused with a few too many interview sequences and other assorted elements of a distressingly underwhelming nature (eg the entirely needless flashback sequences) – which does, in turn, diminish the impact of the movie’s closing stretch. The final result is a perfectly watchable endeavor that often feels like it should be much, much better, and it’s ultimately clear that the 129 minute runtime is just too much for the story to comfortably bear.

*** out of ****