A Very English Scandal

I never relized Hugh Grant had this amazing ability as an actor. This true story account along with the remarkable cast is spellbinding. The story takes the viewer on the full range of emotions from tragedy to humor. Simply brilliant!

Great casting, stellar acting. Hugh Grant is what seems to happen when a handsome rom/com darling is able to season and hone his abilities within his craft. I believe him to be a revelation here and have become an even bigger fan. I he receives the accolades deserved for this performance. The timing and nuance were a treat. Enjoy!

I quite remember the Jeremy Thorpe scandal as it was reported in the American press in the 70s. This Very English Scandal played out for almost a decade and a half.

What I found fascinating among certain things was the difference between how Jeremy Thorpe was treated and how Oscar Wilde was over a half century earlier. Wilde, not in Parliament and not likely to get into government was cast to the wolves once his homosexuality was exposed. Thorpe on the other hand as you will see throughout the film had the establishment ranks close behind him.

Thorpe was the leader of the Liberal Party, a tiny remnant of what it once was before Labour in the 20s overtook it to be Great Britain's second party. It had a dozen seats or so left, but in a closely divided House of Commons could coalesce with one of the majors and make a government happen.

This was what Jeremy Thorpe was trying to do. But at some point in the mid 60s he met a young stableboy later renamed Norman Scott and the two of them had quite the affair. After a while Thorpe tired of him and the two broke it off amicably. At least Thorpe thought so, but Scott who went on to be a male fashion model was a flighty sort. He had trouble holding a job and was constantly badgering Thorpe for help, most discrete help. Thorpe helped a lot over the years , but Scott's demands grew more incessant and soon Thorpe was musing out loud about wanting to get rid of him permanently.

Some of the few in the Liberal Party who knew tried to help. But at this point for a while I thought I was watching a British version of I Tonya. What a crew he was gathered to help their leader out. Talk about the gang that coudldn't shoot straight literally.

Hugh Grant is Jeremy Thorpe, the very picture of establishment privilege. Ben Whishaw is Norman Scott for whom the weight of the United Kingdom seems to be falling upon him. The two complement each other beautifully in their roles.

As for what happens, the establishment protects Jeremy Thorpe, but it comes at a very big price.

Hopefully in this more enlightened where just today an openly gay Governor of one our states was just inaugurated gay audiences can look at this and see how far we've come.

Jeremy Thorpe has quite the story.

Wow... what a transformation. Annoying bumbling mad-blinking Hollywood heartthrob to credible actor while still keeping his English charm. You can't not love Hugh Grant's portrayal. With faultless witty writing by Russell T Davies; his best in years - and the light comedic direction is just the cherry on top of a lovely cake!

Ben Whishaw's protrayal of Norman Scott is often light and innocent with a dark foreboding centre... much like the ending of the first episode!

We even get a glimpse into 1960s politics, but not to much mind, just a slice which prevents the story from becoming overly complicated.

All in all - a jolly good job!

Luckily I was able to watch this all the way thought from start to finish in one sitting. At just under 3 hours, quite an easy feat. Hugh Grant and the superb writing of Russel T Davies made it easy and the time passed like nothing, that to me means it was entertaining, which it was.

Hugh Grant puts in a really good performance, well supported by Ben Whishaw, Michele Dotrice (Some Mothers Do Ave Em), Alex Jennings and Adrian Scarborough.

I enjoyed every minute of it and laughed more than once even though this is not billed as a comedy, the way it was written told a very serious story in quite an amusing way.

There were a few sad moments, but even these were told in an amusing way, not so much funny, but not at all serious or sad, which could be taken as a criticism by some.

Every time I saw the hat, I either laughed or smiled, you will have to watch to know what I mean, for me it symbolised the Hugh Grant characters whole attitude of the time.

A very entertaining BBC mini series and highly recommended.

An easy 9/10.