CHICAGO– In the midst of these divisive times, there is always FOX News to further contribute to that divisiveness. The legacy of that news channel may ultimately be for the settlement of their sexual harassment lawsuits. Director Jay Roach (“Game Change”) explores the particulars of the situation in his new film “Bombshell.”
’Bombshell,’ directed by Jay Roach
Photo credit: Lionsgate
The targets of the harassment are the notable women of FOX News, including Megyn Kelly (Charlize Theron) and Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman), along with a newcomer, Kayla Pospisil (Margot Robbie, an amalgamation of several women at FOX). Their main harasser is FOX News architect Roger Ailes (John Lithgow), and the incidents go on for years before Carlson takes legal action. This is searing and true story, and speaks to the culture of FOX News in general. Theron, Kidman and Robbie are remarkable in their portrayals, coming from their roots in the entertainment industry, and the changes that occurred so rapidly in the age of #metoo.
Jay Roach made his directorial mark in 1997 with “Austin Powers, International Man of Mystery” and the subsequent sequels. He broke into political themes with HBO’s “Recount” in 2008, and continued his exploration in “Game Change,” “The Brink,” “All the Way,” “The Campaign” and “Trumbo.” “Bombshell” is his 12th feature film.
Director Jay Roach in Chicago for ‘Bombshell’
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.com
In PARTONE of a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, director Jay Roach talks FOX News, his remarkable cast of women actors and why he chose to digitally render a FOX personality rather than have him portrayed by an actor.
In PARTTWO the director observes John Lithgow in his role as Roger Ailes, and his storytelling crusade to inform Americans about their own system of checks, balances and morality in approaching our elections and leadership.
 | By PATRICK McDONALD |
