Blu-ray Review: SHE SAID

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Jan 15, 2023 Posted by Kyle Nolan in DVD/Blu-ray, Reviews | Comments

New York Times investigative journalist Megan Twohey (Carey Mulligan) had previously tried to expose sexual misconduct and abuse by people like Donald Trump and Bill O’Reilly, only to have things not quite work out as expected, with herself and her named sources getting harassed and receiving death threats, and the voting public seemingly unfazed by the story. However, five months after publishing her Bill O’Reilly article, Megan receives some good news, that O’Reilly has been ousted by his network amid sexual harassment allegations. Now it’s time to look for her next target, and co-worker Jodi Kantor (Zoe Kazan) has an idea after seeing that Rose McGowan is writing book about being raped by an unnamed Hollywood producer, but it’s clear she’s talking about Harvey Weinstein. And so the women begin their investigation into systemic abuse in the workplace in Hollywood, and what they start to uncover is bigger than they ever could have imagined. While their questions are often met with hang-ups and slammed doors, they do find several women who are willing to share their stories, but only off the record, for fear of retaliation or breaking NDAs they had been forced signed. The reporters also start to uncover massive cover-ups and payoffs. The stories are shocking and horrible, but unless any of these women are willing to go on the record, the public will never hear them. And so the investigation becomes a desperate search for proof of what’s really been going on in Hollywood over the past few decades, and anyone brave enough to go on the record so that all their efforts are not in vain.

She Said is based on the actual 2016 New York Times investigation that led to takedown of Harvey Weinstein and started a much larger movement. It plays out like a tense detective thriller as these two reporters follow the leads, unlock new clues, and try to convince their sources to go on the record. Each new piece of information sends the investigation off in another direction, with a new source to check out, or story to corroborate. At the same time, they are racing against the clock to get the story out first, before the subjects of the investigation can use the media to spin things their own way. The film is really well done, and remains captivating throughout. The filmmakers do a nice job of building the tension. Some of the characters who speak to the reporters initially seem ridiculously paranoid, but as events play out, you realize that maybe their fears aren’t so off-base.

Zoe Kazan and Carey Mulligan both give really strong performances. You really get a sense of the emotional and physical toll the investigation takes on these women. The film does a great job of exploring not only how these two reporters go about their investigation, but also how they balance their work/home lives and how the investigation weighs on and effects them personally. The film also has am amazing supporting cast, such as Samantha Morton, Jennifer Ehle and Angela Yeoh playing some of the women who share their emotional stories with the reporters. There’s also a cameo by a well-known actress playing herself. Patricia Clarkson and Andre Braugher play the reporters’ supervisors/editors, and often steal the scenes they are in. Clarkson’s Rebecca Corbett has nice gravitas, and Braugher’s Dean Baquet is so much fun to watch, as the only person who isn’t intimidated by Harvey Weinstein, and is willing to tell him no or hang up on him when he’s making ridiculous demands.

Universal’s Blu-ray release looks and sounds great. The video is pristine, with a clean and clear picture that provides a solid color palette and an excellent level of detail throughout. The audio track provides clear dialogue as well as an immersive ambiance, which is especially noticeable in the hustle and bustle of the newsroom.

The Blu-ray and DVD discs comes packed in either side of a standard HD keepcase, along with an embossed carboard slipcover, and an insert containing a code to redeem an HD MA digital copy of the film. The discs also contain a short interview with the two journalists portrayed in the film.

What’s Included:

Film: (2:09:10)

1080p / Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English DVS (Descriptive Video Service), Spanish 5.1 DTS Digital Surround, French 5.1 DTS Digital Surround
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French

DVD:

480i / Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital, English DVS (Descriptive Video Service), Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French

Digital (code may not be valid after 3/31/2024):

HD Digital Copy (Movies Anywhere compatible)

Extras:
Play All, or select from:

Breaking The Story (6:43)
Journalists/authors Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor talk about their investigation, how it became a book and a movie, the portrayals of them in the film, and more. Includes behind-the-scenes footage.
Theatrical Trailer (2:32)

Final Thoughts:

My Rating

Film:

Video:

Audio:

Extras:

Recommended

She Said is an entertaining thriller ripped from the headlines, following two investigative journalists as they try to expose corruption and abuse in Hollywood. While it likely won’t reach Spotlight levels of awards recognition, I still found the film and its performances to be very solid. I enjoyed it just as much the second time around. Universal’s Blu-ray looks and sounds great, but unfortunately is pretty minimal when it comes to the bonus material. That said, it’s still an easy recommendation. For those still on the fence, at the time of this review, the film is also available to stream on Peacock.