Makes you think-Ew, I hope I don't end up like that miserable old bag.

I knew very little about this beforehand, asides from the great acting pedigree in the cast.

Judi Dench was nominated for an Oscar for her performance, and frankly should have won. She towers over this film in an amazingly complex role. The clue to... (read more) I knew very little about this beforehand, asides from the great acting pedigree in the cast.

Judi Dench was nominated for an Oscar for her performance, and frankly should have won. She towers over this film in an amazingly complex role. The clue to her character is in the surname (geddit?!). Barbara Covett is a portrait of loneliness, bitterness & vulnerability. In a tremendous scene where she calls on Sheba's loyalty she moves seamlessly from helpless grief, pleading for help to indignant rage, twisting her own manipulative knife.

Cate Blanchett is one of my favourite actresses: I often like her performances better than the films she's in, but here she (only just) plays second fiddle to Judi Dench. Sheba is in some ways less likeable at first, as she seems to vainly & naively drift into an affair with one of her students. But as she becomes increasingly isolated in this impossible situation, she is further trapped by the manipulations of her older confidante.

Bill Nighy is also great in his smaller role as Sheba's husband. His scenes with their children are lovely, and his confrontation with Sheba towards the end is fantastic.

A very tight storyline is handled well in barely 90 minutes. Philip Glass' score is fantastic, and I did enjoy the way the camera often lingers luxuriously on Sheba...

It's cynical characters keep the plot going, and at the same time question what sort of actions you've committed in your own life, making Notes a film that's hard to forget.

One of my most fave movie from Ms Blanchett.

A psychological thriller about obsession, secrecy, betrayal and corruption. Judi Dench plays Barbara Covett, a teacher who lives a dull and lonesome life. She yearns for a sense of connection in the world, and finds it in the form of new art teacher ... (read more) A psychological thriller about obsession, secrecy, betrayal and corruption. Judi Dench plays Barbara Covett, a teacher who lives a dull and lonesome life. She yearns for a sense of connection in the world, and finds it in the form of new art teacher Sheba Hart (Cate Blanchett). When Barbara discovers that Sheba is having an affair with a 15 year-old student, she begins to play mind games with her, and their relationship goes through a series of ups and downs. Judi Dench's performance is just outstanding. Barbara looks like the innocent old lady from down the street, but at her core, she's a conniving, self-centred woman. Nonetheless, most people should be able to find traits within themself that Barbara also possesses. I am very curious about Cate Blanchett's character. I don't know whether to respect her or not throughout the film. When she seems like she is being nice, it never looks like she truly wants to be nice. She does her best to raise a family, which includes a son who has Down syndrome, but I lost respect for her a few times during the film. You will too, I assure it. The chemistry between Dench and Blanchett is astounding. When they argue, you can feel their emotions. One last thing that I found intriguing. Before I watched the movie, I knew there would be a teacher-student affair. I expected myself to sit through the affair scenes and 'feel lucky' for the student (very childish, I know). However, when I watched those scenes, I felt so awkward. It was like I was right there witnessing the intimacy, like I had been sworn to secrecy about the matter. This effect was achieved by the unique characterisation of the student (Andrew Simpson). He is in fact the one who initiates the affair, his obsession with Sheba takes over his life and he begins to stalk her. Sheba tries to ignore him at first, but she ultimately succumbs to his youthful charm. She tells Barbara that her life was going so well, so much so that she 'deserved' to be immoral. To conclude, 'Notes on a Scandal' is a powerfully raw film, that would have been even better if it wasn't so rushed. Definitely worth a watch.

For all its wierdness, it's a chance to see two performances that ought to be long remembered.

Notes on a Scandal emerges as a remarkable character study: difficult to watch, impossible to look away.

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.

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.

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.