The Netflix documentary is one of the most impactful docs to be released this year. It follows Rick Singer’s (Matthew Modine) illegitimate, college-acceptance pathway scheme created to provide wealthy kids with an opportunity to join elite educational institutions in the U.S. Between 2011-2018, former basketball coach William “Rick” Singer allegedly received millions of dollars in “donations” from several high-profile clients. Further, this was allegedly done with a promise to provide their kids admission to prestigious institutions. Targeted schools included Harvard, Stanford, UCLA, Yale, Georgetown, and USC.
Apart from Rick’s illegitimate business that ended with a media storm and legal showdown for many, the film goes further. It examines the flawed manner in which higher education is segmented in America and the world in general.
Insight into a scandal
The film gives us a subtle glimpse into Rick Singer’s professional and personal life, briefly covering his life journey until the time he reached the peak of his career—right when his unlawful activities came under the FBI’s radar. Moreover, the documentary looks at his admissions scandal with a curious eye and a neutral angle.
A striking feature of the film is viewers get to watch on-screen characters that closely resemble their real-life counterparts. These include Hollywood celebrities, lawyers, and businessmen who were involved in Rick’s dealings during the period. What comes from Operation Varsity Blues investigations is that the idea of profiting from selling college admissions was Singer’s brainchild. He bribed athletic coaches at various leading institutions to help rich kids gain entry to the most coveted college seats. Singer pulled this off by falsely presenting them as promising athletes to the schools’ admission committees.
A host of education counsellors, test-prep experts, lawyers, and journalists come forward and analyse Singer’s exploits. We find they agree on what made his deceptive trade possible. The deception took place due to one part-corruption and one part-lapse on the side of educational institutes, which allowed booking a “spot” for a prospective students. They achieved this by paying hefty sums of money in “donations,” and then presenting a fabricated version of their credentials.
Is education only for the privileged?
Singer’s success in playing the admissions game raises further questions, such as ‘Is quality education only for the privileged?’, ‘Is education really a commodity you can purchase?’, and ‘What happened to the meritocracy that used to rule educational institutions?’
Further, the movie expresses worries on many factors that come into play when students plan their future and make decisions for their education. These include competitive races to enter elite institutions, standardised tests, and the pressure they bring to children and guardians. Also, several industry experts agree that the money “donated” by wealthy individuals influenced admission decisions, giving birth to a manipulated and biased system.
Even though the film is largely about Rick Singer’s illegal stints spanning a decade, it doesn’t necessarily judge him to be a vile criminal. The film is objective. Singer gains equal appreciation for his talents and achievements as much as he attracts the spotlight for his deceptive tactics.
A broader perspective
The documentary has the subtlety of re-creating an episode of someone’s life and allowing the audience their own opinion. It offers a vision. It’s up to viewers to take Singer for a con-artist or skilled craftsman who knows how to succeed in business. And as for its success, the film does far more than merely telling a true story. It doesn’t arrive at any definitive conclusion, but offers questions and lessons worth learning in the 21st Century world.
