4. Paul Scofield in Quiz Show
Quiz Show tells the compelling story of how television executives in the 1950's worked to fix popular game shows in order that the "right" contestants won (like the suave, good ol' red-headed American, Charles Van Doren, over the fuzzy-haired, glasses-wearing Jew from Queens, Herbie Stempel). The strength of the film though goes beyond its fascinating "based on a true story" narrative. While the nagging suspense of the exposing of a cover up is well crafted by director Robert Redford, what transforms the film from a solid dramatization of a pop culture event in 1950's Americana to something of a more universal dramatic appeal, is the insight the film has into its characters as people. For the character Charles Van Doren (Ralph Fiennes), this is most effectively done by giving us a glimpse into his family life, in particular the relationship he had with his father, Mark Van Doren (Paul Scofield). The Van Dorens were a well-regarded literary family in America, and the imposing figure of Academic royalty that Mark presents himself as gives an understanding to motivations of his son, Charles. Despite his genuinely well meaning, supportive attitude towards his son, Mark's towering presence can not help but put implicit pressure on his son to measure up to his father's legacy. Scofield, who previously won an Oscar in 1966 for one of my all-time favorite performances as Thomas Moore in A Man for All Seasons, plays the role of patriarch about as well as has ever been portrayed on film. What I love about Scofield's performance is his side-stepping of the typical "domineering father", an arch-type that has been abused on film as much as the slow-motion victory shot. Scofield instead opts for a much more realistic paternal portrayal. Scofield's Mark is not cartoonishly bombastic, but the very nature of his personality is a constant albatross for his son, one that presses him to do "what it takes" in order to achieve something of significance. It's a complex and rather unique father-son relationship, but one that Paul Scofield (unsurprisingly) illuminates with ease and confidence.