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.

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.

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.

You'll want to take a shower after Notes on a Scandal, but you'll be glad you got dirty.

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.