A Very English Scandal

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.

Hugh Grant stars in this 3-part miniseries that looks at the political scandal that brought down Jeremy Thorpe in the mid 1970s.

Thorpe lives a freewheeling life as a member of Parliament in 1960s London. He eagerly pursues young men on the QT for one-nighters while maintaining his work in Parliament. He's part of a small circle of old Oxford students who share like sexual tastes and who can keep secrets.

When Thorpe meets young Norman (who works as a stable boy) he falls into a long-term, on-and-off-again relationship. The trouble is that Norman is a tad unstable and a big drama queen. Thorpe stupidly writes letters (it's the early 1960s), which Norman keeps. When Thorpe grows tired of Norman and tries to throw him over, the young man begins to make threats.

Norman grows more and more unstable and wanders around the country, falling in and out of relationships. Every now and then he sends a threatening letter (blackmail really) to Thorpe. As Thorpe becomes politically more successful, it becomes more and more important to shut Norman up.

Thorpe marries and has a son. He seems the very soul of a solid family man. Only a few know his secret past. Eventually Norman goes to the police and blurts out his accusations more than a decade after the fact. He starts babbling to anyone who will listen about how Thorpe used him. Desperate, Thorpe instigates a plan to kill Norman, but it gets botched and eventually the loose ends catch up with Thorpe when Norman files suit against him for attempted murder.

Grant is absolutely superb as the devious Thorpe. Over the 3-parts of the series he runs the gamut from randy man about town to serious husband and father, and finally to grim middle-aged man facing a serious threat. Ben Whishaw is also excellent as the loony Norman whose life is almost hysterically out of control.

Others in the cast that stand out are Alex Jennings as Peter, Patricia Hodge as Mrs. Thorpe, Adrian Scarborough as Carman, Michele Dotrice as Edna, Eve Myles as Gwen, and Monica Dolan as Thorpe's wife.

Beautifully done with a sharp sense of British wit and charm. Directed by Stephen Frears.

A Very English Scandal with a very English touch of humour. A serious topic at the time, but has been turned into an extremely entertaining TV series. Thoroughly recommended, and Hugh Grant performs the part brilliantly.

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!