Review: "Stormy"

This fast-paced documentary will -- like its subject -- entice looky-loos, but there's not much pleasure or resolution to be found in revisiting this seemingly unending mess. The timing of Stormy is very clear, with Trump running again for president and about to go on trial in the Daniels "hush money" case. The film's tagline is "being outspoken is not a crime," but Stormy herself makes clear she is no warrior for justice and hasn't been outspoken out of any altruistic motive. What's new here is a behind-the-scenes look at how this publicized case impacted her and those around her. She allows the camera to capture her fighting on the phone with her husband, agreeing to give up custody of her daughter, and reacting to death threats on Twitter.

It seems like a good portion of these more compelling scenes comes from footage shot by director Denver Nicks for an earlier and never-completed documentary. It's revealed in Stormy that she and Nicks had an affair, but it's not discussed whether or how that contributed to his footage being used in someone else's documentary. Director Sarah Gibson's proficient final product includes more recent interviews with Daniels as well as celebrities like Jimmy Fallon, Seth Rogen, and Rachel Maddow. It reveals the web of competing lawsuits that have left Stormy buried under piles of court documents and potential debt. Does Stormy wish she'd never met Donald Trump, an interviewer asks her? Definitively yes. You might wish the same about this entire cast of characters after spending another two hours with them here.

Read the full review at CommonSenseMedia

Images courtesy of Peacock