Tag: John Lithgow

(L to R) Nicole Kidman as Gretchen Carlson, Charlize Theron as Megyn Kelly and Margot Robbie as Kayla Pospisil.

BOMBSHELL

Film Review by Marlene Ardoin

I just recently realized that there are two movies depicting Roger Ailes, (John Lithgow) in “Bombshell,” and there was a TV mini-series, “The Loudest Voice”, where Russell Crowe does the honors.

Russell Crowe actually just won a Golden Globe for his depiction of Ailes, but lost at the SAG Awards.

I think that in “Bombshell,” Lithgow tries too hard to show Ailes as a sympathetic man, who has severe self-esteem issues.

Unfortunately, abuse of power seems to be the norm for both men and for women in power, so self-esteem is not the issue.

To be fair, a seven-part mini-series, does have more time to develop the character of Roger Ailes.

Both Charlize Theron as Megyn Kelly and Margot Robbie as a composite female employee at Fox News, are nominated for Academy Awards in acting for their roles in “Bombshell.”

In one of Megyn Kelly’s real interviews, she admits that when she was interviewed by Ailes at Fox News, she actually did the twirl, in spite of all her attorney credentials.

This is a cultural dynamic.

Granted it is less so in the United States, than in other countries, but it is even more insidious here.

Nicole Kidman plays Gretchen Carlson, who is the fired commentator at Fox News, who starts the ball rolling by filing a lawsuit against Roger Ailes for sexual harassment in real life.

The real Gretchen Carlson, had a degree from Stanford in Organizational Behavior and came from a Lutheran family, where her grandfather was the pastor of the then second-largest Lutheran church in the United States.

Big mistake to tangle with her, Mr. Roger Ailes.

Nicole Kidman was not the best fit for the Carlson role, simply because Carlson is a one of a kind.

“Bombshell” also tries to make the case that lesbian women were hired by Fox, but were forced to hide their sexual orientation.

“Bombshell” is worth the price of admission, especially if you were at the recent 4^th Annual Women’s March, where the meaning of the sign, “Miss Ogynist” was not lost on me.

John Lithgow as Roger Ailes.

Cast:

Director: Jay Roach

Written by Charles Randolph

Bomshell Wiki:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombshell_(2019_film)

Roger Ailes:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Ailes

Megyn Kelly on the film:

http://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/megyn-kelly-describes-demeaning-experience-at-fox-news-after-watching-bombshell/ar-BBYMGTz?ocid=ientp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZBYamoqT6o&feature=youtu.be

Megyn Kelly Talks Matt Lauer, Fox News, Donald Trump, Roger Ailes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpsEQckXwYI

Fox News’ Megyn Kelly in conversation with Katie Couric:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOpVYZ5iSG8

Megyn Kelly talks to Gayle King about dealing with Donald Trump, Roger Ailes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfkGGK1VZ_Q

Megyn Kelly:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megyn_Kelly

Gretchen Carlson:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gretchen_Carlson

Margo Robbie interview about “Bombshell”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNltYcfOrww&feature=push-fr&attr_tag=KXBahXskefSjWiNj%3A6

Charlize Theron Worked Hard To Get Into Character As Megyn Kelly In “Bombshell”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OTsUjsHpLg

‘Bombshell’ Q&A: Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, John Lithgow, director Jay Roach, and writer Charles Randolph| GOLD DERBY:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViWLbp6WpuA

“The Loudest Voice” is a 2019 American drama television miniseries depicting Roger Ailes as he creates and guides the rise of Fox News.

It is based on the 2014 book “The Loudest Voice in the Room,” by Gabriel Sherman, and premiered June 30, 2019, on Showtime.

Russell Crowe as Roger Ailes ,which wins Crowe a Golden Globe.

Wiki on “The Loudest Voice”:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Loudest_Voice

In Catch Up On The Loudest Voice

Inside the “Loudest Voice”:

https://www.sho.com/video/68014/inside-the-loudest-voice

https://www.amazon.com/The-Loudest-Voice-Season-1/dp/B07YYR527G

1/19/2020 # Bombshell

Beatriz (Salma Hayek) decides to attend the dinner just as she is.

BEATRIZ AT DINNER

Film review by Marlene Ardoin

“I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor. Rich is better.” – Sophie Tucker

“Beatriz at Dinner” may look like a battle between the givers and the takers, but they are both right. The winner is a balance of the two extremes.

Beatriz (Salma Hayek) appears to be unable to receive. Being poor does not make her superior. Her client, Kathy (Connie Britton), offers to dress her up for the dinner, then later, offers her money for the tow home, both offers are refused. Had she accepted these offers, the outcome may have been drastically different.

Beatriz is the odd one out. At the dinner, she describes an experience with her father, where he was kicking an octopus. She sides with the octopus.

Another point of view is that her father was trying to protect her from the octopus. Had she had this alternate point of view, things might have turned out very different for her.

I believe that we shape our world by how we see it. A more positive viewpoint would have enabled Beatriz to love men, to love the world as it is, and then, to become a positive force in making it even better.

Doug Strutt (John Lithgow) has no problem accepting and showing appreciation for her shoulder massage. When alone with her, he offers her a gift. He points out that we are all dying from the moment that we take our first breath. He encourages her to try to enjoy her life.

Beatriz appears to have more judgment, more pride and more ego as the “healer”, than her opponent, “the successful rich guy.” His comments make her seethe. But, he expresses more love and caring, than her massages or songs do.

Doug Strutt, the man who kills rhinos, who strips bare the environment, who is on his third wife, has the moral high ground here.

I personally prefer all of his transgressions to the transgression that Beatriz ends this film on. I left the theatre feeling ashamed to my core for identifying with Beatriz.

While everyone else is sending prayer lanterns into the air, Beatriz chooses to take a swim by herself.

This story is very much needed at a time in the history of our world, where the “Have Nots” are blaming the “Haves” for all of their misfortune.

Bravo to the writer, Mike White. When in Rome, do as the Romans do, right?

But wait a second, what if this is the guy, who is hiking up the cost of cancer treatments by 5000%, who is raising the price from $12.50 a tablet to $750 a tablet?

What if this is the guy, who does not pay his workers a living wage?

What if this is the guy, who is kicking families out of their homes, so he can raise the price 500% higher?

Or, what if this is the guy who is cutting down all the 3000 year old redwoods?

These are just variations to the story, which would make that guy less likeable or sympathetic.

His jokes would be more offensive.

As written, I do not feel the script is sympathetic to Beatriz, nor does it capture all the reasons for her despair and anger.

Public humiliation is just a part of it. Racism and indifference can be subtle and very debilitating.

Doug Strutt (John Lithgow) is pensive during dinner.

Bio of screenwriter Mike White:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_White_(filmmaker)

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6/28/2017 # Beatriz at Dinner