Scandal – 1989 | 115 mins | Drama | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Michael Caton-Jones debut feature is a modest period biopic based on the real Profumo Affair of 1963 and drawn from five novels. Due to libel concerns the sympathetic story is a tame by-numbers account of the Swinging Sixties sex scandal that shook Harold Macmillan’s Conservative government to its foundations and brought about the ruin of tragic fall-guy Stephen Ward. Both main performances are strong, John Hurt is particularly impressive as the week and seedy Stephen Ward whose like is ruined by the scandal, whilst Joanne Whalley is suitably arresting as the derailed Christine Keeler until the story demands more dramatic emphasis. Of the supporting cast, Ian McKellen’s Profumo is less than satisfying but Bridget Fonda is flawless as Mandy Rice-Davies and delivers an admirable British accent.

Soho showgirl Christine Keeler (Joanne Whalley) is catapulted into London’s high society by osteopath and mentor Dr. Stephen Ward (John Hurt), and together with fellow teenage exotic dancer Mandy Rice-Davies (Bridget Fonda) they become bed-hopping call-girl’s to the high and mighty. British Minister of War John Profumo (Ian McKellan) becomes enchanted with the young dancer and invites her to become his mistress. Eventually a scandal occurs when her affair with Profumo and alleged Soviet spy Eugene Ivanov (Jeroen Krabbe) goes public, threatening their lifestyles and careers. Profumo is forced to resign from the government and Ward is arrested and charged with living off immoral earnings.