Cheating Scandal On "Twenty-One"

Rating: 8/10 (9 December 2013)

Robert Redford directed this intelligent account of the real-life cheating scandal that rocked television quiz shows in the 1950's, with the show "Twenty-One" in particular being targeted by young lawyer Goodwin(played by Rob Morrow) who works for a congressional subcommittee that suspects something is wrong when long-time contestant Herbie Stempel(played by John Turturro) loses to popular and rich Charles Van Doren(played by Ralph Fiennes) and he cries foul, though his motivations are based on pride and money, rather than ideals. Paul Scofield plays Mark Van Doren, Charles' father, who can't understand what the fuss is all about... Most interesting and authentic recreation of that time makes potent observations about class, beauty, and favoritism, and doesn't let the audience off the hook either, making their culpability in the scandal quite clear in a clever fashion. Superb direction and performances in underrated film.