The Scapegoat

I was without a clue as to what I was gonna stream next on my various subscription sites and free apps as well on Roku. I came across this title on Netflix and I was intrigued as Aileen Atkins was in it and one of the writers was Daphne Dumaurier (sp) so it was 9:30 and it would take me onto 11pm. The premise was interesting and lead actor very good, the story solid an production very fine, now as I write this it is the next day and I am thinking about the film which for me means it was very good. Seldom is anything good enough to think about the next day (well, The Crown and The Irishman are recent exceptions). Anyway, I won't give away the plot, but just say if you decide to watch the film I will go out on a limb and say you won't be disappointed or want your time back. Cheers.

What a terrific adaptation. Beautifully played by the ensemble cast, in particular by the lead. This film entertains while providing plenty to think about. It's a little bit black and white, of course, with one character apparently wholly good, and the other apparently wholly bad. But the setup works and you get carried along with the relationships and the possibility of change. The direction is perfect, in particular in the way that it convinces the viewer to go along with the deceit of the main character finding no opportunity to get out of the situation until he starts to feel some affinity with his new 'family'. It's some trick to convince the viewer to go along with that. But it works and you can see him getting drawn in in ways that feel plausible. A thoroughly enjoyable film of a great story.

What if you happened to meet someone who looked identical to you, only you don't want to steal their life, you want to give them yours.

This is a truly slick drama, for my money if is truly superior to the previous version, one I saw many years back, this is hugely atmospheric and sincere, but has an air of warmth to it.

The acting is sublime throughout, each performance is truly on point.

Yes it is a bit absurd, and you do need to stretch your imagination a little, you would know surely if you were living with someone different.

I love the production values, it looks tremendous, superb costumes and location work.

Excellent, 9/10.

The premise is, of course, completely absurd. Is it really possible that any two unrelated strangers could look so much alike that not even a mistress, wife, or mother could spot the difference? Well, no. But the feeling here is not of absurdity, but rather whimsy. The story maintains a pose of realism even as it verges into the fantastic.

So don't expect one of those thrillers with a water-tight plot and gritty realism. This is a story about wish-fulfillment and the freedom of discovering in yourself a whole new set of possibilities. It's also about thinking of your life as it might look from the outside, as viewed by a stranger taking your place; what would he see that you're missing? Count your blessings, you fool!

Lovely performances by all, but especially Matthew Rhys in the lead role.

The magic in this movie creeps up on you slowly, and is not fully felt until the very end. The sum of the movie is more than its parts. Director-writer Charles Sturridge has done this before (the Brideshead Revisited original TV series, A Handful of Dust) and here he does it again. Bravo!

Interesting plot twists and an unusual storyline make this a good, entertaining film set in the backdrop or 50's Britain. A far cry from gun toting car chase disaster films.