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National Treasure
By Joyce Slaton,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Rape charges destroy a beloved comic in riveting drama.
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National Treasure
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What's the Story?
Paul Finchley (Robbie Coltrane) has been a staple of English TV and movies for decades, one-half of a beloved comedy duo with his cohort Karl (Tim McInnerny), and considered a NATIONAL TREASURE -- until the day when the police come knocking on his door to question him about a rape accusation from an actress who worked on one of his movies over a decade ago. Suddenly, Finchley's future isn't looking too bright, as more and more women come forward to accuse him, including -- worst of all -- the teenage babysitter who used to watch Finchley's troubled daughter, Dee (Andrea Riseborough). Dee and Finchley's wife of more than 40 years, Marie (Julie Walters), are both horrified to see their loved one's name dragged through the mud. But as the evidence mounts, they can't believe in his innocence anymore, either.
Is It Any Good?
Disturbing, wrenching, but impossible to look away from, this drama depicts sexual assault from an unusual point of view: the rapist's. Before we find out that a string of women are accusing Finchley of rape, we first get to know him as a loving husband and doting dad and grandfather -- up late at night Googling himself to see if anyone still remembers him, puttering around the house with his patrician, charity-minded wife Marie. But then the doorbell rings, with bad, bad tidings. The viewer, who gets to see Finchley's pain in private moments, is never unsure of his guilt; it takes Marie, Finchley's fragile adult daughter, Dee, and his other loved ones longer to grapple with the truth. What we have here is basically a portrait of a man self-destructing, no matter how much he denies the accusations. It's absolutely fascinating. It's also a major bummer. But National Treasure gets the details and the emotions right. This is gripping stuff, particularly if you've ever wondered what happens to the people whose sins are splashed across newspaper headlines.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why crime frequently figures in dramatic storylines such as National Treasure's. Why do you think people are interested in dark content?
How does this drama view Paul Finchley? Are characters supposed to relate to him? Like him? Believe in his innocence? What about the way he's presented brings you to this conclusion?
Many English viewers believe that National Treasure was inspired by Operation Yewtree, a real-life criminal investigation that ultimately led to the arrest of a number of English male celebrities for child sex abuse. Read about Operation Yewtree -- do you think it has similarities to this TV show?
TV Details
- Premiere date: March 1, 2017
- Cast: Robbie Coltrane , Julie Walters , Andrea Riseborough
- Network: Hulu
- Genre: Drama
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: September 10, 2022
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