"Scoop"

 "Scoop" is an incisive, fast-paced story about power.

At its center is Emily Maitlis, who regrets an ancient interview with Bill Clinton. "He was the President, and Monica was twenty-one years old. He skated off--unaltered. Her life was derailed; she endured decades of abuse. I should have asked Bill about Monica."

Emily is keenly aware of details. When considering an outfit for a Prince Andrew interview, she refuses a dress, "because I don't want Randy Andy staring at my knees. Well, if it's on camera? Maybe I *do* want him staring at my knees."

Emily's eventual choice--a suit with trousers--stirs up a response from Andrew. "Trousers?" he says. And he snorts. It's clear in this moment that he does not see women as human beings; if Emily can just give home some rope, he will gladly do the hard work of hanging himself.

The actual interview between Emily and Andrew is masterful. It's evident that Andrew sees the interview as an act of noblesse oblige; it's beneath him. One wonders if a soulful, truthful self-presentation might have saved Andrew--but, certainly, this isn't what we get. It's painful to watch the actor Rufus Sewell, skillfully playing someone who is lost. (Andrew is so clueless, he doesn't understand that he is failing the test. At the end, he indicates a sense of satisfaction, and he offers to give a tour of the palace.)

I think this is a haunting, perceptive script; it reminds me of "Spotlight."

Two thumbs up.