|
Notes on a Scandal
Directed by: Richard Eyre
Starring: Judi Dench
Genre:
Drama
Run Time: 92
min.
Release Date:
December 2006
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
If you’re film fan of the FATAL
ATTRACTION sort, you’ll have to check out NOTES ON A SCANDAL.
Although not as physical as Fatal Attraction, Notes on a Scandal
certainly has enough tension and superb acting to keep one glued to the
screen.
The story is that of an exceptionally lonely old school teacher named
Barbara played by Dame Judi Dench (CASINO
ROYALE). When a beautiful butterfly wafts into her
school, she sees an opportunity for a friend ...and perhaps more. This
pretty specter comes in the form of Sheba Hart (Cate Blanchett,
BABEL).
She’s a woman married to a much older man (Bill Nighy,
SHAUN OF THE
DEAD) which creates an interesting problem. Wanting much more attraction
than her husband can obviously give, Sheba does a 180 and finds herself
attracted to — and eventually sexually involved with — one of her
fifteen-year-old students named Steven (Andrew Simpson).
Barbara is obviously jealous of the attention heaped upon Sheba, and
when she learns of Sheba’s involvement with a student, Barbara sees an
opportunity to rid herself of her loneliness. Writing candidly in her
journal, Barbara explains her own sudden increased infatuation with
Sheba, both psychologically and physically. We also begin learning about
a previous failed relationship (or was it?) Barbara had with another
young teacher (female) at the school. This other person supposedly left
for unknown reasons, but Barbara knows the truth. Did she drive her
away? When we learn that there’s a restraining order against Barbara
from this other woman, the audience sees more and more cracks in her
mind.
When Sheba’s involvement with her student hits the headlines, her home
and professional life come tumbling down. And who’s there to catch her?
Yep. Barbara. But when Sheba gets ahold of Barbara’s diary, she
understands that this damaged woman has been the catalyst behind every
bad thing that’s happened to her since her arrival at the school.
The great thing about this flick is the continual upping of tension that
builds to a crescendo as the storylines culminate. Bill Nighy does a
fine job in a serious role as the elder husband of Sheba. He’s both
compassionate and dramatic in his representation. Cate Blanchett also
pulls in a fine performance as the damaged Sheba. Her battles with
Barbara (Dench) are some of the most taught sections of the entire
production. But the true winner here is Dench herself. Her creepy role
as the conniving, manipulative, and dangerous Barbara are some of the
best you’ll see.
(back to top) |
Image from Notes on a
Scandal
DVD cost: $24.99
Purchase:
BestPrices.com
Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy: Cate Blanchett,
Judi Dench and Anne-Marie Duff have all played Queen Elizabeth I. Cate
in ELIZABETH (1998), Judi in SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (1998)
and Anne-Marie in THE VIRGIN QUEEN (2005) (mini).
Movie Quote: "We
are bound by the secrets we share."
Other Actors/Actresses
from Notes on a Scandal
   |
