Quiz Show (1994)

 Pros: Solid acting and a good base plot make this film memorable and important. Before Jeopardy!, there was 21, another game show where two competitors are pitted against each other each in their own soundproof booth, unaware of how the other is doing. But the show is rigged. While the two main contestants, Herbert Stempel (John Turturro) and Charles Van Doren (Ralph Fiennes) are certainly intelligent, some of the questions are incredibly difficult and they are being fed the questions and subsequent answers and Herbert is even told to purposely get one question incorrect because he's not a likeable hero. But he doesn't take defeat well, feeling like NBC has betrayed him which they did and they betrayed the trust of the American public. 

Cons: Despite the great true-life story, the young, hotshot but ethical attorney, Richard Goodwin (Rob Morrow) is unable to take down television to his chagrin. It would have been nice to know the public's opinion of Charles Van Doren, after the truth is revealed as Columbia does ask (rightfully so) for his resignation. He was a huge heartthrob but after he admits that he doesn't actually know everything, who knows what happens in the public's eye. 

Recommend: Yes

Grade: A-

Side Notes: 

-The great supporting cast includes David Paymer as the executive who refuses to throw NBC under the bus, Hank Azaria, Christopher McDonald as the show's charismatic host, Mira Sorvino, as Richard's equally ethical wife and Paul Scofield as Charles's academic father, furious that his son fooled the public, sullying the family name but nevertheless, stands by and supports him as the truth is finally revealed.

-We never learn what Herbert's occupation was before he appeared on the show.

-The other game show contestant, James Snodgrass (Douglas McGrath) is the one who holds the smoking, mailing the questions to himself before the show actually aired, but he refused to get an answer wrong on purpose, leaving the host surprised. It's a shame that we don't learn more about James.

-No minorities even have a speaking part in this film which is unfortunately realistic for the time period. Even the female contestant who ends up beating Charles is referred to as Mrs. Vivienne Nearing (Grace Phillips).