Notes on a Scandal (2006)
Cate Blanchett, Judi Dench, Bill Nighy
Two women, caught up in a drama of need and betrayal, are at the heart of the psychological thriller "Notes on a Scandal." The twists and turns of the story are noted in the acerbic diary of Barbara Covett, a domineering and solitary teacher who rules with an iron fist over her classroom at a decayi... (read more) Two women, caught up in a drama of need and betrayal, are at the heart of the psychological thriller "Notes on a Scandal." The twists and turns of the story are noted in the acerbic diary of Barbara Covett, a domineering and solitary teacher who rules with an iron fist over her classroom at a decaying state-run secondary school in London. Save for her cat, Portia, Barbara lives alone, without friends or confidantes--but her world changes when she meets the school's new art teacher, Sheba Hart. Sheba appears to be the kindred spirit and loyal friend Barbara has always been seeking. But, when she discovers that Sheba is having an incendiary affair with one of her young students, their budding relationship takes an ominous turn. Now, as Barbara threatens to expose Sheba's terrible secret to both her husband and the world, Barbara's own secrets and dark obsessions come tumbling to the fore, exposing the deceptions at the core of each of the women's lives.
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Critics
R, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed by:
Richard Eyre
Release Date: Dec 25, 2006
DVD Release Date: Apr 17, 2007
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Flixster User Reviews
Negrazus pavadinimas senmerge, manau, buvo kaip ir neveltui sukurtas, o filmas puikiai pavaizduoja vienatves kupina kasdienybe, ilgesio ir silumos stoka bei geresnio rytojaus laukima. Gyvenime svarbiausia daryti, ar teisigai, ar ne, jau nebesvarbu. T... (read more) Negrazus pavadinimas senmerge, manau, buvo kaip ir neveltui sukurtas, o filmas puikiai pavaizduoja vienatves kupina kasdienybe, ilgesio ir silumos stoka bei geresnio rytojaus laukima. Gyvenime svarbiausia daryti, ar teisigai, ar ne, jau nebesvarbu. Taisykliu laikymasis griauna pusiausvyra. Niekam nelinkiu, kad katinas taptu visokeriopos meiles objektu. P.S. Cate Blanchett dieviska.
Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench show the breadth of their talent. More than the impact of two phenomena, we may be witnessing a handover between two generations.
Judi Dench carries all the significance of this drama admirably directed.
The British ... (read more) Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench show the breadth of their talent. More than the impact of two phenomena, we may be witnessing a handover between two generations.
Judi Dench carries all the significance of this drama admirably directed.
The British cinema still has a bright future ahead of it.
Two brilliant actresses square off in this completely engaging story of love, obsession, and deception. Both characters are deeply flawed making them more human and relatable. Also serving as a test of morals, it's hard not to love this movie.
Not all that, really. Yeah yeah the cast is great, but that doesn't make a great film.
Notes On A Scandal is a psychologically fascinating showdown between two of the greatest actresses of the past century, Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench. Its tangled web of betrayal, deceit, and entitlement completely pull the viewer into its world. Unf... (read more) Notes On A Scandal is a psychologically fascinating showdown between two of the greatest actresses of the past century, Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench. Its tangled web of betrayal, deceit, and entitlement completely pull the viewer into its world. Unfortunately, it falters in its final ten minutes, which almost too neatly wrap up a film that boiled from meticulous to chaotic. Phillip Glass's score also doesn't fit the film, distracting from its subtlety.
It reminded me a lot of Match Point, but not quite as good, or as shocking.
Fantastic performances from Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett. This film centers around their performances and that is both the primary strength of the movie and its primary weakness. Because, while their performances are indeed phenomenal, they draw ext... (read more) Fantastic performances from Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett. This film centers around their performances and that is both the primary strength of the movie and its primary weakness. Because, while their performances are indeed phenomenal, they draw extra attention to the fact that the rest of the movie is sort of a confused mess of pointless side stories. Overall, however, the acting more than justifies the movie which is perfectly watchable.
I enjoyed the acting a tad more than some of the writing, but still a solid film nonetheless.
Intense drama with great performances by Judy Dench as crusty older history teacher and Cate Blanchette as sexy art teacher who become entangled in a relationship of secrets and lies. Worth watching!!
Fantastic performance by Dame Judi Dench; the type of role I've never seen her in before. An interesting plot. Complicated characters. A very good movie overall.
Probably one of the best films I have ever seen, Notes on a Scandal tells the chilling tale of how admiration can turn to obsession, and how one person's choices can affect others. Judi Dench is simply mesmerising as Barbara, an elderly spinster and ... (read more) Probably one of the best films I have ever seen, Notes on a Scandal tells the chilling tale of how admiration can turn to obsession, and how one person's choices can affect others. Judi Dench is simply mesmerising as Barbara, an elderly spinster and history teacher who develops an admiration for new art teacher Sheba (played perfectly by the always brilliant Cate Blanchett) which quickly spirals out of control. The result is a remarkable cocktail of suspense, realism and deception which grips you from beginning to end. Worth watching just for the acting alone - an absolute gem of a film, and while its subject is difficult to take in, its almost impossible to tear your eyes away. British realism at its best!
Screen acting at its best. Dench, Blanchett, Nighy -- each performance is perfection, examples of penetrating artistry that will be recognized by film history.
Also, director Richard Eyre knows these characters. His direction shows it; from the fur... (read more) Screen acting at its best. Dench, Blanchett, Nighy -- each performance is perfection, examples of penetrating artistry that will be recognized by film history.
Also, director Richard Eyre knows these characters. His direction shows it; from the furious dialogue scenes, to the emotionally packed montages, Eyre's hand is sure and never ever lets up.
Critic Reviews
For all its wierdness, it's a chance to see two performances that ought to be long remembered.full review
Notes on a Scandal emerges as a remarkable character study: difficult to watch, impossible to look away.full review
Dramatic overstatement saturates just about every piece of this production. Even that master of orchestral pop minimalism, Philip Glass, managed to write a score that slinks into the dark shadows of old gothic witchery.full review
It's a thrill to see powerhouse actresses lock horns in an emotional battle royal, and Notes on a Scandal gives us two of England's finest in pitched combat.full review
The screenplay has a bracing tincture of Grand Guignol, and nothing is simple when the two women are played by a couple of superlative actresses who clearly delight in one another.full review
A tour de force performance by Judi Dench drives the film, but Cate Blanchett and Bill Nighy also are marvelous in powerful, if more restrained, roles.full review
If you want to see explosive acting, just watch Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett ignite in this film version of Zoe Heller's 2003 novel.full review
You'll want to take a shower after Notes on a Scandal, but you'll be glad you got dirty.full review
Notes on a Scandal is another squirm-und-drang movie: too creepy-sad to be a comedy, too intense to watch quietly, without letting out frequent whoops.full review
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