Based on the bombshell New York Times investigation, SHE SAID follows the remarkable true story of how reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor went from underdogs to inspirations by shattering the silence surrounding sexual assault in Hollywood. Determined to expose the truth many fear to tell, Megan and Jodi’s partnership shakes up the system, empowering courageous women to retake their strength through stories of survival in this extraordinary film from Emmy®-winning director Maria Schrader (“Unorthodox”; I’m Your Man), featuring captivating performances by two-time Academy Award® nominee Carey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman, An Education) and Zoe Kazan (The Big Sick, The Plot Against America), with Mulligan’s performance receiving a Golden Globe® nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
For thoughts on She Said, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:
Video Quality
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment brings She Said to Blu-Ray with an excellent 1080p video presentation. The image is clean with the natural color palette popping off the screen. The film employs splashes of vivid colors within the clothing and production design, which can make for a very striking image. The black levels are appropriately deep and inky, but digital noise does prove to be a very slight issue at certain moments in the film. The flesh tones are natural with gentle nuances showcased well in close-ups and medium shots. The presentation provides a significant amount of depth on display, especially in the interior shots of the office. When this film goes into dimly lit restaurants or explores the countryside, the details present as impressively sharp in all lighting conditions. This is as solid of a presentation as any modern movie should provide on Blu-Ray. Universal has treated this film especially well with this disc.
Audio Quality
The Blu-Ray comes with a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that is quite excellent without being unnecessarily boosted. The score plays an undeniable role in establishing the mood of the narrative, and this track does a great job of permeating the room in a truly enveloping way. Dialogue comes through clearly without ever falling victim to overlapping voices or other noises. Everything is mixed perfectly with directionality accurately rendered across all channels. The sounds of the various bustling rooms provide a good amount of activity in the rear channels, and music stirs up some activity in the low end. This track honors the spirit of the movie with an immersive journey that translates this material perfectly. There are English SDH, Spanish and French subtitles provided.
Special Features
- Breaking The Story: A seven-minute piece in which real-life journalists Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor recount what it took for them to break this incredible true story, the fears they had while preparing the story, their feelings about how they are portrayed in the film, how this movie captures journalism and more.
- Theatrical Trailer: The two-and-a-half minute trailer is provided here.
Final Thoughts
She Said is one of the best movies about journalism that we have had in some time. In the hands of director Maria Schrader, the film takes the quiet act of tracking down leads and confirming sources and turns it into a nail-biting affair that will have you on edge. This end result of this story is known by most, but the way it unfolds narratively is incredibly powerful. Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan are two powerhouse forces in an ensemble cast that is hard to beat. This story is vital, and this film found a way to tell it in a way that is not exploitative and honors the stories of those who lived it. Universal Picture Home Entertainment has released a Blu-Ray that sports fantastic A/V presentation and a brief featurette. While you feel you may know the story, this telling of it brings it to life in a tremendously rewarding manner. Highly Recommended
She Said is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.