Samuel LoveThe explosive allegations against Harvey Weinstein shook Hollywood and the world, and continue to reverberate to this day. It was only a matter of time before the tale of how The New York Times broke the story received the Spotlight treatment with an investigative drama.
Based on the 2019 book of the same title by reporters Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey – portrayed here by Zoe Kazan and Carey Mulligan, respectively – She Said is a pretty by-the-numbers fact-based drama. Unremarkable in its construction and execution, the film is rather simplistic and dry, often feeling like not much more than a cinematic Wikipedia article. Performances across the board are fine but unmemorable, while the direction and screenplay are rather unimaginative.
That said, the importance of the story more than warrants the film’s existence, and compels throughout even if the filmmaking itself doesn’t. The Weinstein case continues to be a landmark moment in the #MeToo movement, and She Said certainly succeeds in bringing the darkly important story to a wider audience. While some critics argued the film was ‘too soon’, these stories need to be told urgently. We haven’t time to waste if we want to see real change.
She Said is a forgettable portrayal of a historic moment in Hollywood and indeed world history, which comes recommended to those who aren’t fully versed in the building and breaking of the case against Harvey Weinstein. Those who followed the case at the time will find little here they didn’t know before.
She Said is available digitally now and on DVD and VOD from 6th March with Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.
