Director: Philip Martin
Writers: Samantha McAlister, Peter Moffat, Geoff Bussetil
The 2024 movie “Scoop” is about “how the BBC obtained the bombshell interview with Prince Andrew about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.” And even though the film may not be a “bombshell” and will likely only appeal to a very niche audience interested in the royal family’s dubious connections, “Scoop” offers an intriguing examination of an awkwardly explosive interview that had a significant impact in the UK.
Adapted from the book authored by former Newsnight editor Sam McAlister, portrayed by Gillian Anderson in “Scoop,” the film starts with the BBC’s Newsnight team brainstorming over the show’s focus amidst the backdrop of heightened tension surrounding impending job cuts. Billie Piper portrays Sam McAlister, Newsnight’s ‘booker’—the individual tasked with securing high-profile interviews for the show. It’s Sam who endeavors to arrange an interview with Prince Andrew (Rufus Sewell), even though her team thinks she is wasting her time pursuing a pipe-dream.
With a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes, “Scoop” succinctly sets up the scandal surrounding Prince Andrew’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, ensuring viewers unfamiliar with the case can follow the unfolding events. The newsroom environment along with its office-politics is well-crafted by the creators, and the tense atmosphere is heightened by pacy background music. The soundtrack maintains a constant tension, infusing the runtime with excitement and dynamism.
Gillian Anderson is riveting as Sam McAlister, a senior journalist who knows how to work her interviewee up. Parts of her performance reminded me of Meryl Streep, which is of-course meant as a compliment – like Streep, Gillain effortlessly slips into her character. Rufus Sewell’s portrayal of Prince Andrew is hilariously caricatured, he slips into the part without making it too exaggerated, yet delivering a cumbrous stiff performance which is just right for the script.
While the final interview conducted by Sam McAlister with Prince Andrew is almost excruciating to watch due to its dullness, it unmistakably echoes the real-life interview, which earned the Prince several monikers online, like “his royal dryness,” among others. However, the fact that his BBC interview was one of the most-watched broadcasts underscores the extent of public fascination with royalty and the corresponding expectation for public accountability that should rightfully rest upon their shoulders as well.
True to its tagline – “One interview can change everything” – Scoop emphatically underscores the influence of media visibility and public opinion. While the climax, drawn from real events, may lack surprise, its execution is subtle, building to a crescendo devoid of theatrics or grandiose speeches. It culminates with a definitive closure, effectively concluding the narrative the creators sought to convey.
Rating: 7 on 10. Watch “Scoop” on Netflix.
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