Overlong but engrossing

Rating: 8/10 (4 January 2008)

Based on the 1950s TV quiz show scandal. Unbalanced Herbert Stempel (John Turturro) is winning on TV quiz show "21". However he is told to answer questions wrong so he can lose and all-American boy type Charles Van Doren (Ralph Fiennes) can win. Richard Goodwin (Rob Morrow) investigates for the government.
I have no idea how factual this movie is (I heard not very) but it plays very well. The 1950s era is captured perfectly (especially the obsession with TV), the script is sharp and direction by Robert Redford is assured. Acting all across the board is great--especially by Turturro, Fiennes and David Paymer as an evil TV executive. Morrow is also good--but he tries to imitate a Boston accent and fails miserably (I should know--I have it!). It's a big distraction in the movie. The biggest problem though is this is far too long--130 minutes. There are many scenes that could have been shortened or excised completely.
Still, it's extremely compelling and worth catching. I give it an 8.