She Said - a film review

She Said is a 2022 biodrama, which tells the story of the New York Times reporters Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey who exposed the Harvey Weinstein’s sexual abuse and harassment of women.

The film is based on the book of the same name, which was authored by Kantor and Twohey (2019). The story begins in 2017 when Kantor got a tip that actor Rose McGowan had been sexually assaulted. She was age 23 at the time. As the investigation progresses, we learn of other women who may have been abused. Some are too afraid to go on record. And some are bound to silence based on settlement agreements.

Eventually, the reporters collect enough evidence to publish a story, which appeared in the NY Times 5 October 2017.

I recommend She Said as an informative look into the struggles women experience with sexual harassment and sexual abuse in the workplace. Although the focus is on women in the film industry, the story aptly illustrates the power differential that exists in other industries and organizations.

The actors offer insightful glimpses into the power of fear to silence abuse victims, the difficulties in documenting sexual harassment and behavior when only two people are present, and the long-term destructive effects of sexual trauma. There is some focus on justice, which is appropriate given the wide coverage of the events in the media. I was surprised by the low incidence of anger and revenge motivations because I would have expected more. The lack of sensationalism is a plus.

Lead actors: Carey Mulligan as Megan Twohey, Zoe Kazan as Jodi Kantor.

Director: Maria Schrader

Producer: Annapurna Pictures Plan B Entertainment

Distributer: Universal Pictures

US Release: 18 November 2022

The film, She Said, is available in Blu-Ray and DVD versions.

I watched She Said streamed on Amazon Prime.

Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD is Emeritus Professor of Psychology. He retired from a clinical practice and was credentialed in clinical neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. His website is www.suttong.com

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