An ambitious journalism student falls under the thrall of an esteemed yet cutthroat news reporter whom she’s desperate to impress, even if it means manipulating her latest story – and the very idea of truth itself.
I didn’t much fancy the title, i kind of expected how the plot would go, but Bel Powley is so watchable I had to watch the entire film. It’s really at heart an ethical exploration, and a revenge film. Both parts done exceptionally well.
Tracee Ellis Ross Plays Diane Heger and is the journalist we all love to hate. The one that cares nothing for people, only about stories. The kind of people who may bring us the truth such as The Nixon Tapes, or destroy lives by making public something which did not need to be public. Love her? Hate her? Maybe a bit of both because she feeds both sides of our souls. And Ellis Ross plays the part excellently.
Powley dominates the film though, as a new student, just learning the ropes, and being awe struck by Heger, but also hating her for treading on her toes and stealing her story. She plays her master revenge simply but perfectly but while I was joyous and applauding her for her creative bringing down of Heger, I also was struck that Powley’s character Mia Scott had acted inappropriately with a teen, and lied and deceived him to get the story that was stolen from her.
It’s natural to be on Scott’s side as she hit back at what seemed to be a monstrous lady. And yet Scott proved she herself had no morals or ethics in getting the story in the first place. Who do we root for? Who do we congratulate? It’s a difficult question and it’s an excellent film.
