Story: Based on real events, Scoop tells of a scandal that shook Buckingham Palace when BBC journalists uncovered Prince Andrew’s involvement with a notorious American sex criminal.
Review: Can English aristocrats get away with an alleged crime or will brave journalists hold them accountable? That is the story of this new Netflix release. The tense docudrama plays out much like both an investigative journalism procedural and a slow-burning thriller, throughout most of it taking place in 2019. Rufus Sewell stars as Prince Andrew – Charles III’s younger brother, who finds himself in hot water because of his friendship with New York financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
A lady reporter for BBC Newsnight programme – Sam McAlister (Billie Piper) – and her colleagues find themselves in trouble. The news channel has just announced hardship measures due to decline in ratings and intense competition from other media outlets. Persuading the press officer Amanda Thirsk (Keeley Hawes), Sam sought help from him so that she may convince her boss to give her an interview. Since royal Andrew was known to have associated with Epstein, Sam believes that it would be extensively viewed if aired on the TV. Paparazzo Jae Donnelly (Connor Swindells) provides her with pictures and information enough to entice the Prince for a tell-all interview.
In the meantime, trying to recover his reputation the Prince has been cozying up to friendly journalists who could promote his charity activities. However things turn south after Epstein gets convicted again and goes to jail. Other allegations emerge accusing him of having had sex with one of Epstein’s victims while others do not believe those claims about him are true. With his back against the wall “Randy Andy” as he is commonly referred by media agrees to participate in an exchange telecasted on Newsnight which is being presented by Gillian Anderson famous in The X-Files as Emily Maitlis. But how confrontational will she be with a man who is as powerful as the Prince?
Peter Moffat does an adequate job of scripting McAlister’s book Scoops, while the TV director Philip Martin does quite well in converting script to screen. The story’s twists and turns are largely unexpected and suitably paced, while its characters remain lively with their dialogue being quite pungent. The culminating interview has a non-linear presentation which mixes flashbacks from previous investigations with current Q & A.
However, at times the movie drags on and could have been much shorter or tighter. Scoop also adds nothing more that would not be found on Wikipedia. In these roles, Sewell and Piper come alive. At many places, we might be reminded of other journalistic flicks like Frost/Nixon (2008) and Spotlight (2015). However this film lacks something which led to its inability to instill high emotions or interest among viewers. Nevertheless it is unquestionable that this tale will keep viewers engaged right until the end through story, actors’ performances and dialogue provided for them by writers of this play “Scoop”. Scoop can be seen as a demonstration of what corrupting power can do as well as redemption by conscience and ethical versus commercial media issues at stake here.…
Watch free movies on Fmovies
