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The Scapegoat

Hi all! I have found a delightful little gem. Today, we will be talking about 'The Scapegoat'. This movie turned out to be an unknown happy surprise hiding in the back of Netflix!

'The Scapegoat' is a movie about two men who, by chance, meet each other and realize that they are exactly identical in appearance. One is from a wealthy aristocratic family who runs a foundry while the other is a poor schoolteacher. Johnny and John, respectively. At first I was expecting a 'Prince and the Pauper' storyline but I was happily surprised! After an evening of chatting and deciding that they have no familial ties, the poor man falls asleep. In the morning he wakes to discover that all of his belongings have been stolen and replaced with the things of the rich man and there is a butler at the door prepared to drive him "home". He is now thrust into the life of his rich counterpart. Naturally, at first he tries to explain what has happened but the entire household attributes it to his ever so common drunken tomfoolery.

Following this is a delightful brainteaser of a storyline! The main actor, Matthew Rhys, does a brilliant job defining two very different characters! All throughout the film you are pulling for the ill-fated man who is so very confused. The overall feel of the movie is very British. Lots of micro-expressions and hinted interactions. To top it all off the scenery is positively beautiful. The vast majority of the story takes place in or around an English castle/manor. Very 'Downton Abby' like.



A little treat on the side is the actor who plays Johnny's brother, Andrew Scott. I knew him as Moriarty from BBC's 'Sherlock'. After seeing him play someone completely insane it was quite the shock to see him behaving normally. Even marital, at times.

To sum up, this is a great drama brainteaser! Absolutely engrossing. It will have you guessing to the very end! I highly recommend it!




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