The Mayflower Madam is a 1987 film starring Candice Bergen as Sydney Biddle Barrows, a New York City socialite who launched a high-end escort agency in the early 1980s. Chris Sarandon plays an attorney who defends Barrows in court, while Caitlin Clarke plays a journalist who attempts to profile Barrows. The film opens with Barrows attending a high-society party and discussing her dating service with a friend. Inspired by the emerging trend of personal computer matchmaking, Barrows decides to start her own escort agency. With the help of her friend Tish (played by Terry Farrell), she recruits a group of attractive young women to be her escorts and sets up shop in an elegant Manhattan apartment.
As her business grows and her clients become more prominent, Barrows finds herself the subject of increasing media attention. She is soon faced with scrutiny from the FBI and the New York state government, who accuse her of running a prostitution ring. Sarandon's character is brought in to defend Barrows in court, while Clarke's character attempts to get the inside story on the scandal.
Throughout the film, we see Barrows dealing with the challenges of running her business while trying to maintain a public persona. She faces backlash from her family, traditional socialites, and the media, but remains unapologetic about her business and its role in providing companionship to those who can afford it.
Bergen delivers a strong performance as Barrows, capturing both her poise and her vulnerability as she faces mounting pressure. Sarandon also shines as the fiery defense attorney, while Clarke's character provides a much-needed perspective on the media's coverage of the story.
Overall, The Mayflower Madam is a fascinating look at a real-life scandal that captured the attention of the nation in the 1980s. It explores themes of power, privilege, and morality, while highlighting the complex relationship between sex work and society.
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