THIS story of how Roger Ailes, the one-time all-powerful head of Fox News, was brought down is told through the viewpoint of three protagonists (who sometimes talk to the audience directly) – star news anchor Megyn Kelly (Charlize Theron), on-the-way-out anchor Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman) and aspiring news anchor Kayla (Margot Robbie).
The main characters are based on real people, except for Kayla who is composite of the many young women who fell victim to Ailes.
Initially we are introduced to Ailes (John Lithgow) as a perfectionist who minces no words when he gets angry.
As the story progresses, we quickly learn how Ailes likes to objectify the female talent and manipulates them to compete against each other, and how some are forced to give in to sexual demands in order to succeed.
His favourite anchor Megyn gets a wake-up call that her boss does not have her back when she is bullied by then-Presidential candidate Donald Trump (and his supporters).
Gretchen is demoted when she complains about on-set sexism, and constantly berated when she takes a stand on important issues. Kayla learns that good ideas alone are not enough to land the job of your dreams.
Though it is Gretchen who sets things rolling to bring down Ailes, the movie focuses more on Megyn and Kayla, who have the most interesting conversations in the movie.
The problem is that this story lacks the punch and urgency seen in a recent TV series based around the same scandal, The Loudest Voice – especially when it came to the fallout from Gretchen’s lawsuit.
What really drives this movie is the acting talents of the main cast, especially Theron who portrays Megyn with flaws and all brilliantly.
Perhaps a single protagonist would have been better, but three blondes is a better marketing tool.
