Cast
View All
John Hurt
as Stephen Ward
Joanne Whalley
as Christine Keeler
Bridget Fonda
as Mandy Rice-Davies
Ian McKellen
as John Profumo
Leslie Phillips
as Lord Astor
Britt Ekland
as Mariella Novotny
Daniel Massey
as Mervyn Griffith-Jones
Roland Gift
as Johnnie Edgecombe
Alex Norton
as Detective Inspector
Ronald Fraser
as Justice Marshall
Paul Brooke
as Detective Sergeant
Jeroen Krabbé
as Eugene Ivanov
Keith Allen
as Kevin
Ralph Brown
as Paul Mann
Ken Campbell
as Editor of Pictorial
Crew
Director
- Michael Caton-Jones
Writer
- Michael Thomas
Producer
- Redmond Morris
- Stephen Woolley
Reviews
Peter McGinn
This film seems to do a fine job recreating the spirit of the 60s, or at least as experienced by the in crowd and the wealthy. John Hurt is great, as usual, and Joanne Whaley os so expressive and magnetic when she smiles or vamps or whatever, I can almost imagine that it was more than beauty that caused Helen of Troy’s face to launch a thousand ships; it was how she looked at men.
So I stuck with the film, but I didn’t find it to be compelling. People seemed to mumble at times, and likable characters were pretty thin on the ground. I was left wishing Jean Alexander as Christine’s mother had been given more airtime. And, well, that is about all I have to say about it, I guess.
Sep 2, 2021
kevin2019
"Scandal" features the sort of sexually promiscuous depiction of the upper classes that usually results in a keen sense of disassociation which finally leads to disinterest and then downright boredom amongst those patrons in the audience completely unaccustomed with the activities of such banal people, so it is somewhat surprising to discover this isn't actually the case here and as a matter of fact the opposite just happens to be true. This film also does an excellent job of placing all the incidents surrounding what happened between Christine Keeler, the rising star of the Conservative Party John Profumo, and suspected Russian spy Yevgeny Ivanov into some kind of cohesive order and even though the more scandalous aspects have lost a lot of their incendiary political relevance when compared to today's lapsed social standards it is still an incredibly interesting insight into what happened and the people who were caught up in the damaging media maelstrom it generated.
Feb 15, 2024
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Scandal examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Michael Caton-Jones brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1989, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Scandal took approximately 30 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 115 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 164 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 1118 individual shots.
- The costume department created over 139 unique costume pieces for the production.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
Historical Context
- In 1989, when this film was released:
- Economic policies were shifting toward deregulation in many Western countries.
- The Cold War was entering its final phase.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While Scandal shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Behind Enemy Lines, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Scandal offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like This Boy's Life and The Magdalene Sisters explore similar territory, Scandal stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: March 3, 1989
- Runtime: 1h 55m
- Revenue: $8,800,000
