Watch The College Admissions Scandal

In the movie The College Admissions Scandal, we see the real-life scandal involving wealthy individuals bribing university officials to secure spots for their children. The movie is centred around two mothers - Caroline (Penelope Ann Miller) and Bethany (Mia Kirshner) - who are determined to secure the best possible future for their children.

Caroline is a wealthy single mother who will stop at nothing to ensure that her son, Todd, gets into Yale. She is introduced to Rick Singer (Michael Shanks), a college counselor who promises to get Todd into Yale. Rick's plan involves faking Todd's academic and athletic abilities, and Caroline pays Rick a substantial amount of money for his services.

Bethany is in a similar situation, but her daughter, Olivia, is not a top student, and Bethany cannot afford to pay for Rick's services. Bethany is introduced to Caroline, and together they come up with a plan to secure Olivia's future: they will fake her rowing abilities, which will make her an attractive applicant to elite schools.

The movie is a rollercoaster ride of emotions as we see Caroline and Bethany doing whatever it takes to get their children into Ivy League schools. They lie, cheat and bribe their way through the admissions process. They even go as far as to photoshop their children's faces onto the bodies of real athletes to create fake athlete profiles.

As the story unfolds, we see the consequences of their actions. The FBI becomes involved, and Caroline and Bethany are caught up in a web of lies and deceit. Eventually, Rick Singer is arrested, and the truth about their illegal activities comes to light.

The movie raises some critical ethical questions about the college admissions process, particularly the unfair advantage that wealthy families have over those who cannot afford to pay their way in. It also highlights the pressure that parents put on their children to succeed, and the lengths they will go to achieve this.

The acting in the movie is excellent, particularly the performances of Penelope Ann Miller and Mia Kirshner, who perfectly portray the desperation and determination of their characters. The supporting cast is also impressive, with Robert Moloney playing the role of a corrupt college admissions officer, who is willing to look the other way when it comes to accepting bribes.

The director, Adam Salky, skillfully handles the sensitive subject matter, treating it with the seriousness and respect it deserves. He does an excellent job of keeping the tension high, particularly in the scenes where Caroline and Bethany are carrying out their illegal activities.

In conclusion, The College Admissions Scandal is a thought-provoking and engaging movie that shines a light on the dark side of the college admissions process. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of placing too much emphasis on academic success and the lengths to which some parents will go to ensure it. Highly recommended.

The College Admissions Scandal is a 2019 drama. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.