Movie 2013.01.05 - The Scapegoat

One of the more engaging movies I've watched lately. Mr. Standing, who teaches Greek, was recently laid off. He meets his doppelganger Mr. Spence in a pub. The two drank and talked until late. Next morning, Mr. Standing was awakened by George the chauffeur, and everyone seems to think that he's Mr. Spence. Out of curiosity, he allows himself to be driven back to the manor. What follows is a tale similar to The Prince and the Pauper, but with a twist.

Turns out Mr. Spence was supposed to go to London to negotiate a deal to save their glass foundry, but he didn't or wasn't able to do so. Standing goes along with the charade, so now he has to deal with the failing business, the nagging matriarch, the neglected wife Frances, the angry sister, etc. Now, there is actually money to save the business, but it is locked up in a trust fund - only to be released when Frances produces a male offspring or if she passes away.

While Standing was out hunting with some friends, Spence came back and convinces Frances to OD on morphine. Standing uncovers this plot in time and manages to revive her. At the foundry, Spence forces Standing at gunpoint to exchange clothing with him with the intent to kill him off. A fight ensues and Spence was accidentally killed. Standing goes back to the manor to continue on with the charade. To be fair, he did plan on simply disappearing, but a suspicious family friend called him out and asked him to stay.