A Very English Scandal

An engaging, sometimes hyper kinetic retelling of an alleged murder plot by a high-ranking member of the British Parliament in the 60s and 70s. Jeremy Thorpe, successful, cocky, and in the closet, begins a discreet affair with an ingenuous but emotionally unstable young man. He believes he can end the affair just as discreetly when he tires of Norman. Unfortunately, Jeremy doesn't realize what he's in for. Norman is anything but circumspect - flighty, thoughtless, and outspoken about his homosexuality - and his affair with Jeremy Thorpe. When Norman broadcasts that he's been the victim of a murder attempt by Jeremy, all hell breaks loose and the two of them end up facing each other down in court.

Hugh Grant is a revelation in this, as a powerful political leader brought low by the scandal - we see his ego and his arrogance deflate the longer Norman hangs on like a terrier, publicly seeking justice for the wrongs done him by Jeremy.

Ben Whishaw, an actor who couldn't give a bad performance even if he tried, is absolutely perfect as Norman - unpredictable, attention-seeking, by turns charming and weepy, but with a surprisingly dogged determination and fierce resentment at the treatment of gays - which he doesn't hesitate to trumpet to both the court and the press.

An outstanding supporting cast and a whimsical musical score add more than a touch of humor to the proceedings; this is a series that shouldn't be missed.

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!

I absolutely loved this series. Hugh Grant and the other actors are amazing. I laughed out loud many times, but was also touched by the story and issues as a whole. It flew by and I felt very satisfied when it was done. I highly recommend this if you're looking for something easy to follow, intriguing, and with some good humor thrown in as well.

His performance is a revelation. After a long cinematography, the role of Jeremy Thorpe is a real fascinating change of what you expect as viewer. First, for the performance near Ben Whishaw who, not surprising, gives one of his precise performances , exploring each detail of his character traits. More than story, not always the best, the performances are the basic motif for see this mini serie about a large spider webb of interests, fear, cruelty, lies, manipulation and manner to assume the past. A film about a delicate affaire. Great chance for Hugh Grant to show , in different manner, his authentic skills.

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.