Keeler/Profumo affair, a scandal that's been told million times, some reviewers ask why make another dramatisation again and again? Like the old saying, Sex turns the world around. The Brits might be bored with Profumo scandal and the saucy picture of Christine Keeler striding over a chair. But the rest of the world may not. The resurfacing of the story is not entirely a remake of the old film. This programme, although entitled "the trial of Christine Keeler," actually climaxed on the trial of Stephen Ward, who was convicted for "living off immoral earnings" implying that he was in the business of procuring young girls for the pleasure of the rich and famous. Sounds familiar? A predecessor of Epstein maybe? But the parallels are not quite the same. Epstein seemed to have made millions out of his sleaze trade, whereas Steven Ward never demanded payment for his "social fixing". Ward was a reputable Harley Street doctor, living on the earnings from his medical practice. It was a travesty of justice to convict him as "living off immoral earnings". What's more interesting is that in the case of Stephen Ward, foreign secret agencies were implicated. In the 60s, it was referred to as "honey trap" espionage. But in Epstein case, the hidden agenda was not just about espionage.
Imagine if Christine Keeler were like Virginia Roberts Giuffre, she would have become multi-millionaire several times over. But Keeler had too much pride, she had never sold herself as one of those "me too" fortune hunters.
Unfortunately in this world of hypocrisy, the honest ones always ended badly. Feel sorry for Steven Ward and Profumo, who had been made scapegoat to cover up the sleaze business of more important figures higher up in the establishment.
Artistically speaking, it's a watchable programme with a boring start but gets better from Episode 3 onwards. Sophie Cookson and James Norton did a good job as Keeler and Ward acting with true emotions. The script could be made more coherent by rearranging the timeline. Too many flashbacks jumping back and forth can be quite confusing.
A depressing story but on the whole a thought-provoking programme that reminds us of what's happening now. As Keeler's lawyer told her, Justice is not about truth. Justice is a game. A game of deception.
Imagine if Christine Keeler were like Virginia Roberts Giuffre, she would have become multi-millionaire several times over. But Keeler had too much pride, she had never sold herself as one of those "me too" fortune hunters.
Unfortunately in this world of hypocrisy, the honest ones always ended badly. Feel sorry for Steven Ward and Profumo, who had been made scapegoat to cover up the sleaze business of more important figures higher up in the establishment.
Artistically speaking, it's a watchable programme with a boring start but gets better from Episode 3 onwards. Sophie Cookson and James Norton did a good job as Keeler and Ward acting with true emotions. The script could be made more coherent by rearranging the timeline. Too many flashbacks jumping back and forth can be quite confusing.
A depressing story but on the whole a thought-provoking programme that reminds us of what's happening now. As Keeler's lawyer told her, Justice is not about truth. Justice is a game. A game of deception.