All the presidents women... This is the film about Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor, the two NYT journalists responsible for punching the hole in the dam that created the flood of testimony that would eventually wash up Harvey Weinstein and drown him in the tidal wave of evidence that drifted him to prison for 23 years. A taut investigative story, I didn't see the time go by, probably because of how invested I was in the story. And I wasn't alone: the Paris theater where I saw She Said broke out into applause at the end of the film (and if you know anything about the infamous stoicism of Parisian audiences, you understood how big a deal that is). There may have been a couple of scenes that were overly dramatic, whereas this story brings its own drama and doesn't need any boosts, but overall, the focus on the facts, processes, and skill of the reporters was a fitting tribute the story that changed the world and the women who inhabit it.

I kind of understand why "She Said" is flopping right now. On the one hand, the marketing campaign was really bad; on the other hand, the Weinstein scandal and the whole MeToo issue is perhaps still too fresh to make it into a movie. The "New York Times" article we're talking about here was so present a few years ago that it wasn't really necessary to rehash it right now. But none of this changes the fact that "She Said" is a fantastic film. Director Maria Schrader calmly tells the story of the entire investigation. The sexual assaults are described in great detail, which is really disturbing. The effects of this system on the victims are very well conveyed. Schrader largely avoids over-the-top Hollywood moments. The story works as a journalistic thriller as it is. The film is carried by the leads, Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan. Mulligan in particular is once again fantastic, but Kazan is also good. Especially the moment when the first victim is ready to speak out publicly is great cinema. I don't have much to complain about. Of course, the boring moments of the investigation are skipped, which perhaps dulls the realism a bit. But that also ensures that the film is exciting throughout. And above all, the victims are placed in the spotlight. That is the only acceptable way to tell this story. It's a shame that only a few people will see it in theaters.

It's difficult to judge a film of this magnitude, even from a cinematic perspective. It tells a heart-wrenching story. Twohey and Kantor compelled us to take a small step in the right direction, and its importance cannot be overstated.

Cinema as entertainment. Cinema as denunciation. Cinema as historical memory. Eight years ago, Spotlight presented the drama of a group of journalists who, despite the difficulties, published an article that shocked the world: The Church allowed abuse by priests for years (2002). After uncovering the sewer, thousands of stories around the world came to light. Now we have "She said", a film that presents the drama of a couple of journalists who, despite the difficulties, published an article that shook the world: Harvey Weinstein paid off sexual harassment accusers for decades (2017). After uncovering that other sewer, not only did dozens of stories come to light, but an expansive movement was created: #MeToo. I don't know how Carey Mulligan manages to be such a good actress; a single look, a scene with no change in her gestures, can be so powerful. Not only was the casting of Carey as Megan Twohey terrific, but Zoe Kazan in her portrayal of Jodi Kantor is wonderful as well. Both support the film without problem as the protagonists of this story. Rebecca Lenkiewicz's script is completely on point, entertaining and moving. Nicholas Britell's music seemed ideal to me, as it highlights the scenes of tension, breakdown, and frustration. Natasha Braier's photography provides frames that without the need for dialogue convey a lot. All taken care of by a good direction by Maria Schrader. There are very valuable messages presented in the dialogues that are necessary in society. So it is a film that is well worth watching, and keeping in mind as an example of cinema as historical memory. There are many horrible stories to tell, many sewers to uncover, many investigations worthy of applause, many articles that change the course of society. "She Said" is proof of that.

Great movie and a great score. I did not see the time going, I was glued to the screen.