Who would have thought that a film about a TV scandal in the ’50s could be that fascinating? Well, that’s just what Robert Redford’s Oscar-nominated “Quiz Show” is. It’s a perfectly crafted feature which smartly tells the true story of an NBC game show, Twenty One, the fastest growing quiz sensation at the time. Two contestants are trapped in soundproof cells and they have to answer questions on various subjects until one of them reaches the 21 point mark. The Geritol-sponsored show is a huge hit, and the contestants have the possibility to win a lot of dough. As the film begins, the returning champion is Herbie, a dorky Jew from Queens (played by the always enjoyable John Turturro). The show brings him hope of a better life and brings him the respect of his peers. But the thing is, it’s all a sham! The whole show is rigged: Herbie is actually told the questions in advance. That is until the producers decide that they need a new, more charismatic champion. They choose Charles Van Doren, a likable university professor (sharply portrayed by Ralph Fiennes). But Herbie isn’t over being forced to take a dive. Since he can’t be the champion, he figures no one should and therefore decides to go to court and protest his downfall. The case grabs the attention of Dick Goodwin, a prosecutor determined to unveil the truth. The biggest scandal in TV history is about to break…

The film is surprisingly good. The screenplay is intelligent, inventive and always interesting. The dialogue is keen and the characters are well developed and three-dimensional. We get to know how they think and feel, what are their motivations… It’s always convincing. I really enjoyed learning about how such a scam took place, and it’s interesting to see how television works. The film brings out issues of ethics in America, which shouldn’t be tossed over just because this is the entertainment world. “Quiz Show” was brilliantly directed by Robert Redford. Every scene is well crafted and the actors are wonderfully conducted. I especially liked Fiennes, who has great presence. His performance is very nuanced. In the early scenes, he’s all confident, but look at the scenes in which Dick Goodwyn is questioning him. Fiennes tries to keep a poker face, but you still can see that he’s burning inside. I also like the scenes with Van Doren’s father, when he’s questioning what he did but can’t get himself to disappoint his dad.

John Turturro is not quite as memorable, but it might be because of the role. He plays the big-mouthed geek who rats on his bosses. His character is an annoying jerk who’s not looking to do the right thing, but just pissed because someone else took his place. The film also features Martin Scorsese, who turns out to be a darn good actor. He’s believable and interesting to watch as the president of Geritol. “Quiz Show” is a great social drama that explores efficiently some important themes. Redford sure can be proud of his work.