Scandal
The Affair That Toppled A Government. The Movie That Shocked The World.
Great Britain, 1963: The wealthy Dr. Stephen Ward (John Hurt) meets teen showgirls Christine Keeler (Joanne Whalley) and Many Rice-Davies (Bridget Fonda in her Golden Globe nominated role) and transforms them into high-society escorts. But when Keeler begins a torrid affair with both Cabinet Minister John Profumo (Ian McKellen) and Russian spy Eugene Ivanov (Jeroen Krabbe), the scandal explodes into an outrageous trial that would destroy many lives and change the face of British government forever.
Scandal is the true story of England's notorious "Profumo Affair," the first great government sex scandal of the century. Directed by Michael Canton-Jones (The Jackal), this acclaimed drama caused its own controversy with censors worldwide due to its graphic scenes of sexuality.
Member Reviews
Despite being based on a real sex scandal... - cathyottawa
...this was a little dull.
I can't really put my finger on it, but I found my mind wandering alot during this film - it failed to draw me in.
Maybe it's because since this scandal, far more salacious ones have come to light (Monica Lewinsky anyone?), so that, this looks a little tame. You wonder what the big deal was.
Also, I remember the whole bruhaha about the sex scenes in this movie, and how it almost got an X rating. Well, there is nudity, but very little sex. The most racy thing was a group orgy scene, but you really don't see much.
I liked Joanne Whalley (then Joanne Whalley Kilmer - married to Val Kilmer). She is absolutely beautiful, and smoldering on screen in a Marylin Monroe kind of way. Bridget Fonda is also good; although they were both 25 when they made this. playing characters that are supposed to be 16 and 18.
I had little empathy for John Hurt, or any of the men. It was fun to see Coronation Street alum Jean ALexander play Whalley's mother.
Maybe worth a rental if you remember this scandal.
Member Reviews
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Despite being based on a real sex scandal... - cathyottawa
...this was a little dull.
I can't really put my finger on it, but I found my mind wandering alot during this film - it failed to draw me in.
Maybe it's because since this scandal, far more salacious ones have come to light (Monica Lewinsky anyone?), ...