“The Reckoning: In Review, Steve Coogan’s Chilling Brilliance Takes Center Stage”

The Reckoning Review: Steve Coogan’s Chilling Brilliance as Jimmy Savile

The Reckoning, a recent BBC drama written by Neil McKay and starring Steve Coogan, has garnered attention for its chilling portrayal of the notorious abuser Jimmy Savile. Coogan’s performance as Savile is not only captivating but also captures the charm and creepy depravity of the man. However, the question remains: does this drama add anything of value to a familiar and horrific tale that most of us already know?

A Well-Made and Polished Production

Stripped of context, The Reckoning is a rigorously well-made and polished drama. It takes viewers through the timeline of Savile’s rise to fame, from his days as a DJ on the northern club circuit to his influential roles on radio and television. The dramatization stops at his death in 2011, unaffected by any revelations about his heinous acts. Throughout the production, there are frequent interruptions with archive footage of the real Savile, which can be jarring and detract from the viewer’s engagement.

A Chilling Portrayal of Terror and Depravity

The scenes in which Savile terrorizes, assaults, or rapes his victims are handled with great care and precision. The drama successfully evokes the particular terror that arises when a predator reveals their true nature. Importantly, these moments are portrayed without explicit visuals, relying on Coogan’s masterful performance and the skillful writing to convey the horror. Coogan’s portrayal of Savile is remarkable, as he seamlessly blends his acting skills with his impressive ability to mimic the mannerisms, voice, and vibe of the real Savile. He successfully showcases the layers of charm and malevolence that intermingle in Savile, revealing the core of absolute depravity beneath.

Furthermore, Coogan’s ability to play creepy characters, from Paul Calf to Alan Partridge, makes him uniquely suited for the role of Savile. He effortlessly channels a calculated coldness that can easily push towards horror.

The Importance of Context

While The Reckoning may stand as a well-executed piece of television, its true value lies in the context in which it exists. The drama enters a landscape already saturated with documentaries and dramas exploring trauma, particularly female trauma, for content. In order to justify its presence in this crowded field, The Reckoning must bring something new and valuable to the subject. Unfortunately, it falls short in this regard.

The Reckoning adds little to what we already know about Savile’s crimes and fails to provide any new insights into how he came to be and operated unchecked for so long. The suggestion that his deviant behavior was a result of his mother’s lack of love for him as an unwanted seventh child is based on scant evidence and indulges our impulse to blame the nearest and easiest person.

A Missed Opportunity to Analyze the BBC’s Role

Another significant shortcoming of The Reckoning is its failure to thoroughly examine the role of the BBC, the broadcaster on which the drama aired (though it was produced independently by ITV). While the drama touches on a few investigations into Savile’s conduct at the BBC, it places a disproportionate emphasis on the failures of other institutions and individuals, such as NHS staff, editors, and even political figures like Margaret Thatcher, who awarded Savile a knighthood.

To watch The Reckoning is to be left with a sense of depression and disappointment. While the brief testimonies from real-life victims at the beginning and end of the drama might attempt to justify its existence and absolve it of exploitation, they ultimately fall short. Merely reminding viewers that evil exists and walks among us is not enough.

Conclusion and Advice

The Reckoning, with Steve Coogan’s chilling portrayal of Jimmy Savile, is a well-crafted drama that succeeds in evoking terror and showcasing Coogan’s acting prowess. However, the value of this production is questionable when considering the abundance of documentaries and dramas already exploring the topic of Savile’s crimes. In order for a drama like The Reckoning to truly contribute something of worth to the conversation, it must provide new insights and analysis into the subject matter.

For those who are already familiar with Savile’s story, it may be worth considering whether watching The Reckoning adds any additional value to your understanding. However, for those who are not as familiar with Savile’s crimes, the drama can serve as an illuminating introduction to this dark chapter in history. Nevertheless, it is important to approach such content with caution and skepticism, recognizing that media portrayals often present a specific perspective and may not offer a comprehensive analysis of the events.