The year was 2017.
Two reporters, Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey published an article in the New York Times.
The article exposed the abuses by Harvey Weinstein.
The Hollywood producer was legendary, having produced award-winning films such as Pulp Fiction, Shakespeare in Love and Good Will Hunting.
Kantor and Twohey’s article about the producer sparked conversations about sexual abuse at work, inspired the #MeToo movement and by 2020, Weinstein was a convicted sex offender.
Their investigation was turned into a book and now a film.
The female narrative
The film, like the book, gets its title from the phrase ‘he said, she said’ when conflicting reports are given by two parties in a sexual assault allegation.
With often no witnesses and only personal accounts, it becomes a battle of who will be believed.
As one former Weinstein employee, Lauren O’Connor, stated in a company memo the journalists recovered: “I am a 28-year-old woman trying to make a living and a career. Harvey Weinstein is a 64-year-old, world-famous man, and this is his company. The balance of power is me: 0, Harvey Weinstein, 10.”
The journalists’ investigation set out to give power and a voice to the female accounts.
Reporting from New York
In the film, Kantor (played by Zoe Kazan, who gives a solid performance) has stumbled across information that a famous film producer has been sexually harassing women in the industry.
She turns to the more experienced Twohey (played by Carey Mulligan, whose acting stands out) to work with her on the story.
All that glitters in Hollywood isn’t gold
The reporters’ research leads them to actresses such as Rose McGowen, Gwyneth Paltrow and Ashley Judd (who plays herself in the film).
All were coerced into a hotel room by Weinstein in their early careers.
The journalists are first told why focus on actresses – as, after all – they already have a voice.
Kantor and Twohey pursue their investigation suspecting, “If it can happen to Hollywood actresses, who else could this be happening to?”
Unravelling the thread of abuses
The reporters uncover more stories from former Weinstein staff.
To protect themselves against Weinstein’s predatory ways, women employees recount wearing puffer jackets and two pairs of tights around him, due to the likelihood of harassment.
Kantor and Twohey’s investigation initially focuses on incidents that happened in the 90s when one source drops a bombshell: “Why ask about the 90s when Harvey has committed so many more recent offences?”
They’ve pulled at a thread that threatens to turn the mogul’s helm at Hollywood upside down.
Male support
If you expect the film to be about male bashing, it isn’t.
The film credits the men who also stepped forward to speak against Weinstein.
These include Weinstein’s accountant, Irwin Reiter (played by Zack Grenier, The Good Wife) and the brilliantly defiant New York Times executive editor, Dean Baquet (played by the late and talented Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine).
Their actions help tear down the culture of silence created by Weinstein, and others who were complicit.
Getting women to come forward
Like other great journalism films, the story depicts the lengths reporters go to expose the truth, even at high personal cost.
In the background, Kantor and Twohey are balancing their own struggles. From dealing with early motherhood and postpartum depression to being away from their families to interview sources across the world.
Despite the journalists’ efforts, sources are reluctant to speak out for fear of the repercussions.
Kantor, at one point, turns to Twohey to ask, “How do you get women to talk?” To which her colleague responds: “I tell them I can’t change what happened, but we can use their experience to help other women.”
When one source finally agrees to go on the record, you sense every emotion Kantor feels when the journalist breaks down into tears.
This is a pivotal moment that may prompt other women to publicly come forward.
Keeping the monster at bay
Throughout the film, you never actually see Weinstein. You only hear some of his phone rants, and you see the back of his head in one scene.
This is perhaps to not give him more airtime than he deserves and to keep the focus on the women’s stories.
It also chillingly plays into how his figure is dominant and feared by people, as he lurks in the shadows.
Was it all worth it?
The film beautifully captures the emotions that Kantor and Twohey go through in their investigation.
These range from frustration, and anger, to despondency about whether their work would change anything. Would people even care?
Luckily, we have the benefit of watching the film knowing their investigation led to 82 women coming forward to accuse Weinstein.
He was sentenced to 23 years in prison for rape and sexual assault.
As well as being an inspiring portrayal of what Kantor and Twohey’s work achieved, the film is an account of how great journalism matters.