Quiz Show

Robert Redford, USA 1994, 132 minutes

We all know that game shows are rigged (except Supermarket Sweep of course) but in the Golden Age of the quiz show back in the fifties a scandal rocked America when money, ratings and jealousy combined to give the wrong answer.

Robert Redford's film focuses on the uproar caused when a handsome and intelligent, upper class lecturer Charles Van Doren (Ralph Fiennes) is "chosen" to replace the current champion of "Twenty-one", a nerdy commoner (John Turturro) who must take a fall. However the vanquished opponent is not happy with the bung he receives and speaks out to the press. No one is willing to believe his word against Van Doren's though but it does send an eager young civil servant (Rob Morrow) stuck in a dead-end position to poke his nose into the affair. Lies and betrayals follow as the American Dream becomes an All-American Nightmare.

Characterised by fine performances and sharp dialogue, Quiz Show is a much more piercing (and entertaining) view of American ideals than Forrest Gump or Apollo 13. English darling Ralph Fiennes gives a breathtaking follow-up to his Oscar overlooked performance in Schindler's List and confirms him as one of the hottest talents around.

"Rich and stimulating.. award-worthy performances *****" - Empire

Review by Neil Chue Hong
Taken from EUFS Programme 1996-97