Netflix’s Scoop is an almost documentary-like retelling of the behind-the-scenes story of how the women of “Newsnight” secured the infamous 2019 interview with Prince Andrew. Yes, the one where he talked about how he didn’t sweat and basically admitted that he remained friends with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein long after his conviction because it was “convenient.”
Days after that interview, Prince Andrew was forced to relinquish all his royal duties and was later stripped of his titles. The Royal Family now tries to hide him, as if that’s enough for the world at large to forget that Andrew wasn’t just friends with a convicted sex offender – he was accused of some crimes himself.
But Scoop doesn’t do much more other than rehash old, familiar ground. For anyone who, at this point, wasn’t familiar with Epstein’s crimes – or Prince Andrew’s – the movie gives a decent overview, if not a detailed account. And yes, there’s an interesting look at the behind-the-scenes operation of a newsroom, and how an interview as big as the Prince Andrew one comes together.
Other than that, however, there really isn’t anything that sets Scoop apart. It’s a movie about how the interview comes together and that’s pretty much it. In many ways, it feels like they could have done a documentary about it. In many ways, this feels like one. These are real-life people depicting a real-life situation. Rufus Sewell is playing Prince Andrew, and giving us gratuitous nudity while at it. Billie Piper is playing Sam McAlister.
And yes, Gillian Anderson is playing Emily Maitlis, and reinforcing once again that she can play absolutely every role casting directors throw at her. Well, that and the fact that she both doesn’t age and can age as much as you need her to in order to play the role you want her to play. It’s Gillian Anderson’s magic. She will always be 20-year-old Dana Scully, but she can also be whoever else we need her to be, and be wonderful at it.
The quality of acting aside, the movie doesn’t have much to say other than yes, these women did an amazing job at securing an interview Prince Andrew shouldn’t have given. It barely says that, though. In fact, the movie barely even comments on the Prince Andrew of it all, a very low bar considering the things he has been accused of doing. It thankfully takes a harder stance on Epstein, because if you cannot take a hard stance on Jeffrey Epstein, then what is even the point?
Scoop had a lot more to say, on many issues. On the Royal family in general. On Prince Andrew in particular. On journalism, and what it means to be a woman on the field. Even on the UK + Palace + censorship spinning wheel that the movie touches upon but never really delves into. Instead, the movie is happy to just mention these things and move along with telling a story we all already know the broad strokes of.
It’s both a little disappointing and overall, on par for the course. Unlike the story it’s trying to tell, Scoop is clearly not trying to go for the home run. Instead, it’s settling for just putting the ball in play.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think about Scoop? Share with us in the comments below!
Scoop is now available to stream on Netflix.
