Bombshell (2019)

Turan calls the film ferociously entertaining, harrowing, and triumphant. He especially praises the sharp direction and the performances, singling out John Lithgow’s complex portrayal of Roger Ailes.

Gleiberman praises the film as a powerful, suspenseful account of the harassment reckoning at Fox News. He singles out the finely textured newsroom detail and the three lead performances for making the story compelling and emotionally resonant.

White finds the film an unflinching, empathetic and authentic account of the #MeToo movement. She especially praises Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Kayla, highlighting a disturbing scene that makes the cost of harassment painfully clear.

Sexton finds the film intriguing but somewhat unbalanced, with its portrayal of the harassed women and their complicity in Fox News complicating sympathy. He singles out John Lithgow’s fascinating, repellent performance as Roger Ailes for praise.

Stables finds Bombshell a smart, fast-moving drama with some tonal and structural stumbles. She especially praises Charlize Theron’s compelling performance as Megyn Kelly.

McCarthy finds the film a smart, snappy and engaging account of Roger Ailes’s downfall, though it does not offer deep analysis. He especially praises the convincing performances and physical transformations of Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman and John Lithgow.

Kohn finds the film cartoonish and overworked but ultimately effective, with a tragicomic soul. He especially praises Charlize Theron’s compelling transformation as Megyn Kelly and the film’s insight into women taking a stand against abuse.

The page could not be accessed, so its verdict and specific praise or criticism cannot be verified. The available page information identifies it as a review of the 2019 film Bombshell.

The accessible page does not reveal the critic’s verdict. It also provides no specific praise or complaint beyond the film’s premise.

The review finds the film powerful but ultimately limited. It singles out Margot Robbie’s heartbreakingly good performance while criticizing the film for not delving deeper into office politics.

The review finds the film’s portrayal of Fox News cartoonish despite its real-life rage. It singles out Charlize Theron’s performance as a standout.

Lane finds “Bombshell” forceful but hastily assembled, with its fact-fiction blend sitting uneasily. He praises Charlize Theron’s commanding performance, while faulting the film’s rushed, choppy treatment of its subject.

Bradshaw finds the film insightful but uneven, with its critique weakened by strained performances and a muddled attitude toward its protagonists. He praises its depiction of sexual harassment and bullying as connected forms of corporate coercion.

The critic sharply condemns the film as disingenuous and politically evasive. She singles out its airbrushing of the anchors’ politics and its failure to give its female characters moral complexity.

The critic finds the film too irreverent and narrow to deliver a meaningful critique of Roger Ailes’s criminality. He praises the performances, especially the actors’ portrayals of the women’s complicated experiences, but faults the film for reducing systemic sexism to Fox News and elite legal maneuvering.

Hutchinson finds the film slick and over-explanatory, though its performances make it compelling. She particularly praises the women-only lift scene for conveying the mechanics of the media business.

Willmore finds the film a misbegotten, uneven drama whose flashes of insight cannot overcome its unearned inspirational ending. She praises its occasional attention to conservative white feminism, while faulting its failure to confront Fox News’s complicity in the politics it depicts.

Kermode finds the film finely crafted and well told, despite occasional missteps. She particularly praises its acting ensemble and the performances that bring the characters to life.

The critic finds the film timely, engaging, and largely successful despite reservations about its comedic elements. They single out the performances of Theron, Kidman, and Robbie, as well as Lithgow’s portrayal of Ailes.

The critic finds the film compelling and vital to the #MeToo conversation, despite its subjects sometimes receiving too soft a touch. She especially praises its ability to make women across an ideological divide sympathetic, alongside the performances and transformative makeup.

The review finds the film both entertaining and depressing, praising its deft handling of a difficult tone. It singles out Charlize Theron’s nuanced performance and Margot Robbie’s heartbreaking portrayal.

The review finds the film competently told but too safe and insufficiently angry. It praises the strong performances while faulting the shallow treatment of supporting characters and Fox News culture.

Bui finds the film shallow and overly sympathetic to its female anchors, failing to reckon with the controversy’s complexity. She praises Margot Robbie and Kate McKinnon’s scenes together, while criticizing the film for sidelining Gretchen Carlson’s experience.

Goldberg finds the film muddled and superficial, with little insight into either Fox News or workplace harassment. He criticizes its emphasis on celebrity impersonations, which distracts from understanding the people and institution it portrays.

Dunn finds the film glib and shallow, ultimately saying it fizzles out. He praises Charlize Theron’s impressive impersonation of Megyn Kelly.

The critic finds the film compelling but overstuffed and tonally scattershot, with its explosive story never fully detonating. They praise Charlize Theron and Margot Robbie, especially Robbie’s performance in Kayla’s first encounter with Ailes.

The critic finds the film messy and ultimately ineffective in its attempt to portray women challenging Fox News. They praise Margot Robbie’s fictional character’s storyline as the film’s most compelling and chilling material.

Geisinger finds the film’s account too narrow and its treatment of white feminism discomforting. She particularly criticizes its glossing over Megyn Kelly’s racist comments and the broader impact of Fox News.

The critic finds Bombshell stylish but ultimately superficial, with little point of view beyond condemning harassment. Charlize Theron’s uncanny performance and Margot Robbie’s solid turn provide some star-powered electricity.