An empowering movie about women uncovering the truth and speaking out against sexual abuse in the movie industry. 

She Said is about the two New York Times reporters investigating the allegations of sexual abuse by Hollywood movie producer Harvey Weinstein. The reporters, Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor, are played by Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan, respectively.

Numerous women, from actresses to assistants, were assaulted by Harvey Weinstein over the course of 25–30 years. The movie did an excellent job of weaving those women’s stories together. It also showed the actual freaking work of investigative reporting: long hours, sleepless nights, last minute flights to interview a potential witness, showing up at people’s houses unannounced, fielding threatening phone calls from jackasses who can’t stand a woman having any kind of voice. Kudos to these reporters for doing this hard work and kudos to all those women who had the courage to tell their stories. 

I also appreciated the fact that there wasn’t some bullshit “conflict” where, you know, a driven career woman neglects her family or is chastised by her partner for letting her dedication to her job take over her life. No, instead, we get to see them taking care of their families while they’re working. Their family life is part of who they are. Their partners are supportive and it’s reciprocated. Their editor at the NYT, played by Andre Braugher, is also on board with their story. We’re treated to the absolute joy of watching him tell Weinstein to take a hike. Only, you know, in a professional way.

The movie also focused on the women who endured these assaults, bringing them and their stories to life. Amazing actresses play the women who came forward, and at varying stages of their life. It showed the terrible isolation these women sunk into after going through their trauma. It showed how isolation looks and feels, when is often hard to describe how isolation looks and feels. 

It makes me so angry that this one man and the system that enabled him to get away with this shit derailed the life trajectory of so many women. Most of them were in their early twenties, just starting out in their careers. In the wake of the abuse, they ended up leaving Miramax, leaving the film industry, losing traction in their careers, or leaving the country. Worst of all, their enthusiasm, ambition, and voice were stifled or snuffed out. I can’t tell you how angry that makes me. It’s heartbreaking, really.

If you want a well-written, well-acted, high quality movie about women doing what it takes to bring unconscionable sexual abuse out in the open and putting a stop to it, go see She Said.