The Prince’s Scoop

A Netflix Movie Review

This weekend, before I returned to work after the Easter holidays, I wanted to cosy up and watch a film on TV.

Noticing that Gillian Anderson had made a movie about the Prince Andrew scandal, I chose ‘Scoop.’

Having watched the infamous BBC Newsnight interview back in 2019, I was intrigued about how events unfolded.

My Review

Gillian Anderson played Emily Maitlis, the clever TV reporter who gave a one hour interview with Prince Andrew about his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein.

It turned out that the central character was actually Sam McAlister (Billie Piper). She was the booker who had the difficult task of being the first to arrange an interview with Andrew after a new bunch of revelations hit the news.

Rufus Sewell did a good job of playing the despicable prince and wore prosthetics that made him look very convincing in the role. His Private Secretary was played by Keeley Hawes.

The subject matter in the film is very grim as it was unpicking allegations made against Andrew which were later dismissed in a settlement where one of the girls involved supposedly received an 8 figure payoff.

Billie Piper played her role excellently and it was good to see her back on our screens. She portrayed a single parent who had a track record of persuading unlikely celebrities to appear on Newsnight and discuss their featured stories

I thought the filmmakers did a brilliant job of producing a film which put the whole story under a lens.

In A Nutshell

Overall this film was well made and brilliantly acted. Billie, Gillian, Rufus and Keeley were all flawless in portraying real people.

I know that the subject matter may be upsetting for some viewers but if you are interested in the scandal, check out this film.

In terms of pace, narrative and realism this movie was very good.

Geneva, You Were Great!

Having just got back from a week in beautiful Geneva, I thought I would share a few pictures.

Switzerland is starting to be a regular haunt for me as it is breathtaking and clean. After visiting briefly on my way to Italy in 2020, it wasn’t until 2019 that I got to go back and explore.

I enjoyed Zurich then and went back to stay in wonderful Basel last year. Now I got around to seeing the French part of Switzerland and it was no less exquisite.

I will write a more detailed post later on but for now, here are a few photos:

The Broken Chair and UN building
On the edge of Lake Geneva, at Montreux
The Jet d’Eau
L’horloge fleurie (Flower Clock)
The Alps
Carouge

Easter Poem

Easter is here

Children delight

In chocolate eggs hidden

Just out of sight.

Spring is a springing,

The clocks have now changed.

Hot cross buns sitting waiting

Butter, jam – all arranged.

Bunnies are jumping

While egg hunts take place.

Finding the most eggs

Is a greedy old chase.

But does anyone remember

Why Easter even takes place?

Don’t ask me, I’m busy

Stuffing my face.

The origin of Easter

Is often forgot.

Just so long as we’ve chocolate,

We’ll gobble the lot.

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Often when I ask students about the meaning of Easter, they get sidetracked with the commercial bits. Instead of Jesus and resurrection, they enthuse about chocolate eggs, hot cross buns and Easter bunnies.

Thank you for taking the time to read my silly Easter poem. Please consider checking out another recent poem about Friday.

PS – And yes I used the same rhyme twice, for effect.