The Reckoning: A Gripping Portrayal of Jimmy Savile’s Evil, but Falls Short of Illumination
Steve Coogan’s Brilliant Performance in “The Reckoning” and the Drama’s Context in a Saturated Landscape
Steve Coogan‘s portrayal of the notorious abuser, Jimmy Savile, in “The Reckoning” is undeniably captivating. Yet, one can’t help but question the necessity of revisiting such a horrific tale that most of us are already familiar with. The BBC’s latest drama, while skillfully made, adds little to the grim narrative.
If, by some rare chance, you’re not aware of Jimmy Savile’s evil deeds, “The Reckoning” might serve as a chilling introduction. However, for those who are well-acquainted with his malevolence, the question arises – what more does this drama bring to the table? Stripped of its context, “The Reckoning” is a well-crafted piece of work, taking us through Savile’s rise in the 1960s as a DJ in the northern club scene, his ascent to radio and television stardom, and his eventual death in 2011, shrouded in secrets. Oddly, the drama is interspersed with archival footage of the real Savile, which can disrupt the viewer’s immersion. Pausing the narrative to remind us that truth can be stranger than fiction feels like an unusual choice.
The scenes depicting Savile’s horrifying acts against girls, young women, and occasionally young men are handled with great care. Few dramas manage to evoke the specific terror that arises when a person realizes they are in the presence of danger. Importantly, the show does this without delving into explicit physical details.
Steve Coogan’s performance is nothing short of brilliant. He’s not just a talented actor but also a remarkable impressionist, and his portrayal of Savile strikes a perfect balance between capturing the mannerisms, voice, and vibe without slipping into caricature. Coogan skillfully unveils the layers of charm and malevolence that Savile employed depending on his audience and his intentions. At moments, he reveals the core of absolute depravity lurking beneath the surface. Coogan’s ability to portray creepy characters is well-established, from Paul Calf to Alan Partridge, and he excels in this role, tapping into a calculating coldness that can send shivers down your spine.
However, “The Reckoning” exists within a broader context. It enters a world already saturated with dramas and documentaries that explore trauma, particularly female trauma, for content. To justify its place in this landscape, the show should contribute something genuinely valuable to the subject matter. Unfortunately, it falls short in this regard. The drama merely recounts what we already know and fails to offer a deeper understanding of how Savile became the monster he was and how he operated with impunity for so long. The suggestion that his dark inclinations were rooted in his troubled upbringing, particularly the lack of maternal love as an unwanted seventh child, feels like a shallow attempt to place blame on an easy target – his mother.
Another notable omission is the lack of scrutiny, in a drama airing on the BBC (though technically produced by ITV), of the BBC’s role in either enabling or protecting Savile due to his value as a property. While the drama touches on a couple of relatively inconsequential investigations within the BBC, it focuses more on the failings of NHS staff, media editors succumbing to pressures to silence exposés, and the complicity of individuals and institutions (sometimes indistinguishable) that turned a blind eye to the red flags Savile waved about with increasing audacity.
Watching “The Reckoning” leaves one with a sense of depression but not enlightenment. It bookends its narrative with brief testimonies from real-life victims, seemingly attempting to justify its existence and deflect claims of exploitation or voyeurism. Yet, to accomplish that, the show should offer more than a rehash of what is already public knowledge. Simply reminding us that evil exists among us isn’t enough.
“The Reckoning” aired on BBC One and is available on iPlayer, adding another chapter to the ever-disturbing tale of Jimmy Savile, but failing to shed new light on his heinous deeds or the institutions that allowed him to thrive.
By: M Z Hossain, Editor Sky Buzz Feed
