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 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.

#1 Look at the other reviews here and take them at face value ; this is a good movie that's worth watching. Although the premise and plot may seem implausible the movie draws you in and the acting, story (Daphne Du Maurier ) and production values make this a worthy film. There is real tenderness shown between the characters and and callousness by the villain. Good story and film making, no gimmicks other than the original story (novel).

I enjoyed the movie, it's an interesting plot, well directed and well acted. Unfortunately the closed captions, on which I depend, were many seconds ahead of the scenes they belong to (I watched it on Amazon Prime video).

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!