The College Admissions Scandal

The College Admissions Scandal is a 2019 drama directed by Adam Salky and stars Penelope Ann Miller, Mia Kirshner, and Robert Moloney. This Made-for-TV film is a dramatized account of events that transpired in 2019 involving alleged bribery and manipulation behind the scenes of the notoriously competitive and high-pressure college admission process in the United States.

The movie revolves around two affluent mothers, Caroline (played by Penelope Ann Miller) and Bethany (played by Mia Kirshner), who will go to any lengths to get their children into the best colleges. Whereas most parents may hire a tutor or perhaps rigorously encourage their children's studies and extracurricular activities, these women take an unlawful route to ensure their children’s success.

Caroline, an interior designer, is a single mother who deeply cares for her son but is tremendously concerned about his future. On the other hand, Bethany, who owns a successful financial firm, is a competitive person who wants her daughter to attend the same university she did. Both mothers are in a race against time and would stop at nothing – including bending their moral compass – to attain what they perceive to be an achievement.

Their desperation leads them to Rick Singer (played by Michael Shanks), a charismatic man who offers a surefire solution to their problems. Singer is the mastermind behind the operation that entails manipulating test scores and bribing college officials to secure a place for these women's children in some of the most prestigious universities. While this seems like an ideal solution to the mothers i.e. their children securing a position in their dream colleges, they're unaware of the eventual spiral that would eventually tarnish their lives forever.

The College Admissions Scandal serves as a critique of the higher education system and society's obsession with prestige and status. The plot paints a vivid picture of the lengths to which people will go to secure the future of their children and how far they are willing to push, even if it means compromising ethics, reputation, and the chance of legal action.

In their performances, Penelope Ann Miller and Mia Kirshner brilliantly portray the panic and desperation of parents consumed with anxiety about their kids' futures. Miller, as the well-intentioned but misguided single mother, provides a humanizing look at the scandal's perpetrators, and Kirshner shines as the ambitious, status-driven mother. Robert Moloney, meanwhile, provides a striking contrast as the comparatively ethical but conflicted university admissions coach.

Beyond the main plot, the film also tells a larger story about the American college admissions system and how it has become a status symbol for wealthy families. The movie doesn't shy away from shedding light on the stark divide between the opportunities for the rich and those less privileged, reflecting on how the system is inherently biased and possibly broken.

Moreover, the director, Adam Salky, successfully brings this real-life scandal to screen, adding layers of emotion, stress, and moral ambiguity that keep the viewers hooked to the narrative. The riveting script by Stephen Tolkin plays a crucial role in making this portrayal compelling and thought-provoking.

To summarize, The College Admissions Scandal is a gripping drama that offers an insider look at one of the most controversial scandals in recent American history. It paints a vivid picture of the lengths parents can go to ensure their children's future, raising pertinent questions about ethics, morality, and the inherent bias in the American education system. The film's strong performances, especially from the lead actresses, and the deft direction, make it a must-watch for those interested in dramas based on real-life incidents.