Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal
| Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal | |
|---|---|
Film poster | |
| Directed by | Chris Smith |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | Matthew Modine |
| Distributed by | Netflix |
Release date |
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Running time | 103 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal is an American documentary film about the 2019 college admissions bribery scandal. The movie stars Matthew Modine as Rick Singer and features reenactments as well as interviews with real people involved in the scandal.
Cast
- Matthew Modine as Rick Singer
- Roger Rignack as John B Wilson
- Jillian Peterson as Lead FBI Agent
- Wallace Langham as Gordon Caplan
- Jeff Rector as Devin Sloane
- Courtney Rackley as Jane Buckingham
- Josh Stamberg as Bill McGlashan
- Jeremy Sless as Guidance Counselor
Production
Production took place in 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the production was delayed.[1]
Release
The documentary was released on Netflix on March 17, 2021.[2] The documentary was the seventh-most-watched film on Netflix that week.[3]
Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes the documentary holds an approval rating of 88%.[4] Matthew Modine's performance was well received with Salon magazine writing that his performance was a "convincing interpretation of Singer's intense physicality."[5] Clarie McNear of The Ringer, thought the documentary was "delicious" although it failed "to cover much new ground."[6] Kelly Lawler of USA Today wrote that the documentary "lacks any uniqueness in its staid narrative.[7]"
Lawsuit
On April 6, 2021, Netflix was sued for defamation by John B. Wilson and his family.[8] The Wilson family alleged that the documentary misrepresented them by portraying them as guilty and complicit in the scandal.[9] Wilson was convicted at trial. The First Circuit partially overturned the verdict on appeal.[10] Wilson claims that before the release of the Netflix documentary, he provided them with evidence that proved his children earned their spot in their respective colleges.[11] However, Netflix disregarded Wilson’s evidence, and portrayed him and his family as complicit in the scandal.[12]
In 2024, Wilson also filed a $75 million lawsuit against the University of Southern California for fraud and deceit.[13]
References
- ^ Gutterman, Annabelle. "Entertainment Movies – What to Know About Netflix's Operation Varsity Blues—And the College Admissions Scandal That Inspired It". Time. Archived from the original on March 21, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ Rubin, Rebecca (March 2021). "Netflix's 'Operation Varsity Blues' Trailer Skewers the Infamous College Admissions Scandal". Variety. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- ^ Bologna, Caroline (March 29, 2021). "The documentary was one of the top ten most watched films on Netflix". Huffington Post. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- ^ "Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ Mcfarfield, Melanie (March 17, 2021). "Matthew Modine (and his wig) star in Netflix's diverting "College Admissions" true crime recreation". Salon. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ McNear, Claire (March 18, 2021). "'Operation Varsity Blues' Is Light on New Information, Heavy on Schadenfreude". The Ringer. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ Lawler, Kelly. "College admissions scandal gets shlock-doc treatment in Netflix's 'Operation Varsity Blues'". USA Today. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ Rinnaldi, Jessica. "Parent involved in college admissions scandal sues Netflix over documentary". NBC. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ Jenkins, Cameron (April 9, 2021). "Parents in Netflix documentary on college admissions scandal sue company". The Hill. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ "Appeals court tosses convictions of 2 parents in 'Varsity Blues' college admissions scandal". www.wbur.org.
- ^ "Press Release: Lawsuit Claims Netflix Knowingly Misrepresented Innocent Victims in Infamous Varsity Blues Case". Scandal Within The “Varsity Blues” Scandal. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- ^ "Massachusetts father cleared in college admissions scandal sues Netflix". CBS. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
- ^ Ryan, Harriet; Hamilton, Matt (September 21, 2024). "USC accused of fraud by 'Varsity Blues' parent whose conviction was overturned". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 23, 2025.