Rent Scandal (1989)

Superb cast in a beautifully restored Blu-Ray edition of a modern classic - Scandal review by MW

Like many people, I eagerly awaited each weekly edition of the recent 6-part BBC series 'The Trial of Christine Keeler' which told the story of the Profumo scandal in great detail.  This prompted me to revisit the movie version from 1989 via Cinema Paradiso and I found (was it a coincidence?) that it was scheduled for re-release in HD on Blu-Ray.  It was so long since I'd seen the film that I'd forgotten most things about it apart from the iconic poster featuring the lead actress Joanne Whalley-Kilmer.  It turned out to be a real treat with superb performances from not just the leading lady but also a majestic John Hurt as Stephen Ward, a surprisingly British-sounding Bridget Fonda as Mandy Rice-Davies, the ever-impressive Sir Ian McKellen as John Profumo and a galaxy of other significant actors of the time.  Condensed into 2 hours, the story must inevitably be pared down but all of the main features are there, beautifully shot with at times quite stunning HD restoration.  All in all, highly recommended.

An excellent film depicting the Profumo Affair in 1960s London - Scandal review by Philip in Paradiso

An excellent film depicting the Profumo Affair in 1960s London — An English osteopath, Dr Stephen Ward (John Hurt, spot-on), who is also a socialite and a libertine, well introduced in various circles within the upper-class of 1960s England, is besotted with a very young showgirl who works in a slightly louche cabaret in Soho, Christine Keeler (Joanne Whalley, excellent right through). Dr Ward invites her to live with him. He becomes a friend and mentor to her. Through his very wide range of contacts and the parties he is invited to, C Keeler and her young female friend (met at work) meet and date various members of the Conservative Party.

The movie follows closely and accurately, from what I can see, the string of events that led to the downfall of John Profumo (Ian McKellen), who is a minister in the government and gets involved with C Keeler. This is known as the Profumo Affair, which rocked the Establishment in Britain in 1961-1963.

The film is very good: it recreates the atmosphere of Swinging London in the early 1960s very, very well, without ever indulging in clichés; the actors/ actresses are all very good, and the acting performance by J Hurt and J Whalley is excellent; minor characters (e.g.: the police officers who become involved in the case) are also played very well. This should be considered a classic of the genre and, given the subject matter and the parameters of the story, the film could not have been made better.