As a seasoned cinephile with over three decades of immersion in the world of cinema and journalism, I can confidently say that “A Very Royal Scandal” is not just another addition to your watchlist; it’s a must-watch for anyone who appreciates well-crafted drama and intriguing storytelling.
Add A Very Royal Scandal to your watchlist.
Approaching five years have passed since the BBC’s Newsnight team (2019 class) had a sit-down interview with Prince Andrew for a television broadcast. This conversation would not only shake up his life but also impact us in various ways. A three-part drama on Amazon Prime offers a glimpse into the goings-on within the BBC newsroom during this period and sheds light on some of the discussions that were happening among royal circles, within the prestigious walls of Buckingham Palace at that time.
As a film enthusiast, I found myself utterly captivated by this fast-paced, humorous tale. Michael Sheen’s performance as Andrew is surprisingly heart-wrenching, taking us on a journey from endearing fool to social outcast. Despite his fall from grace, he manages to elicit immense loyalty and affection from the women who know him best. This film delves into the intriguing dance between the media and the monarchy, questioning which party holds more sway, and revealing the potential consequences of a public confrontation gone awry for both sides.
But this drama quietly poses another question. In the peerless hands of director Julian Jarrold and producer Josh Hyams, it looks at the power of journalism and, frankly, at its limitations too. The ability to hold to account those at the very top of our public institutions — church, crown, state — is what makes a free press thrive and a democracy healthy. But five years on, the drama asks — what has fundamentally changed for Jeffrey Epstein’s victims or for Andrew? As Ruth Wilson [playing Maitlis] notes drily: “He’s still at Sandringham for Christmas”.
The life of Prince Andrew has certainly undergone a transformation. With the loss of his royal titles, employment, and any significant public function, one might argue that everything came to a standstill for him following the backlash from his interview on Newsnight. The duke (perhaps even Queen Elizabeth) chose to settle a civil lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre, who claimed he sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions, by paying an undisclosed sum of money rather than facing a potentially embarrassing trial. Was this settlement a source of relief for Prince Andrew? Or a triumph for Virginia Giuffre? Ultimately, one might question whether either party truly received justice.
As a cinephile, I must say that the pivotal dramatized interview takes center stage across the three episodes, but it’s in the final act where we truly feel the repercussions, the aftermath. The prince finds himself in a whirlwind of chaos as he struggles to regain control over a world that has unexpectedly slipped from his grasp – now managed by relentless PR teams, with results that only serve to frustrate him further. Meanwhile, the journalists are left pondering if they’ve accomplished anything beyond creating a fleeting “meme moment.” There is no trial, no extradition proceedings, no apology, and no resolution, leaving everyone in a state of disillusionment and unresolved tension.
Did we achieve anything more than a “meme moment”?
Approximately a month following the broadcast of the interview, someone confidingly near Prince Charles pulled me aside and implied, in a somewhat cryptic manner, that “HRH wasn’t pleased with the interview.” This revelation left me astounded. Over the years since, I have often pondered over this statement, attempting to decipher its hidden meaning.
Could it be implied that the man who eventually became our king, three years hence, found some relief in this conversation? This encounter might have given him an opportunity to restructure the monarchy according to the demands of the current era and the public’s expectations of its role?
Today’s leaner, more efficient version of the institution clearly lends credence to this idea. The close alliance – between the media and the monarchy – is seldom demonstrated as strikingly as it is now.
This drama puts that tension at its core.
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2024-09-13 16:33