Notes on a Scandal

FILM COMPANY: DNA Films, Scott Rudin Productions, Fox Searchlight Pictures

DIRECTOR: Richard Eyre

PRINCIPAL ACTORS: Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, Bill Nighy, Alice Bird, Andrew Simpson

DATE OF RELEASE: December 27^th 2006

GENRE: Drama, Thriller

FILM LENGTH: 1 hr. 32 minutes

RATING: R

WEBSITE: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/NOAS/

5 stars/ 5 stars

REVIEWED BY: Emily Axelson

Notes On A Scandal, is a superb film with outstanding performances from the actors and could easily stand as one of the best of the year. Judi Dench does it again, portraying this time a lonely, manipulative older woman with obsessive tendencies. Notes On A Scandal showcases an array of genres as it has moments of drama, thriller, and even comedic content; at times you are left shivering. Both Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett deliver astonishing performance and the tension between the two bounces off the screen and deeply affect the viewer. Notes On A Scandal is a well thought out psychological drama, effortlessly executed.

Barbara Covett (Dench) is a lonely, bitter history teacher without a friend in the world. When Sheba Hart (Blanchett) arrives at the school as the new art teacher, Barbara is instantly intrigued by her. Their first encounter is when fighting breaks out in the art room, and Barbara takes over to help Sheba handle the whole situation. A small friendship forms, but it is clear that Barbara feels much more than friendship; Sheba doesn’t seem to catch on, until the night of the school play. Sheba had been having family problems, and is left feeling empty and incomplete. When she meets one of her students Steven Connelly (Simpson), she feels an immediate spark. At first, she doesn’t acknowledge it, to protect her family life back home. Then, he signs up for private tutoring and as time goes on, the chemistry becomes stronger, and she can’t resist anymore. The night of the school play, Barbara happens to witness Sheba and Steven together and becomes aware of the on-going affair. She approaches Sheba, urging her to end it. What seems to be an attempt to help Sheba’s well being is actually Barbara’s opportunity to get what she wants. Barbara begins to use this secret as a weapon against Sheba and is constantly making threats with it to get her way. Sheba grows tired of Barbara’s power over her, but she knows that if she stops giving into it, Barbara could completely destroy her life. Immensely powerful, this drama/thriller will be engraved in your memory.

I can’t say I’m surprised that Judi Dench delivered an astounding performance, considering she consistently does; I can however say that I’m surprised that she didn’t win best actress at the Academy Awards this year. Dench makes Barbara a complex character with underlying and openly apparent levels of evil, deceitful and selfish emotions and at times coming across as lonely, desperate, and hopeless. No matter which angle you set you eyes on Barbara, Dench seems to have made her totally believable; a level of abandoned acting often bypassed in most performances on film today. I was especially surprised at Andrew Simpson’s performance. He did a fantastic job playing the needy teenager, a depth of character I didn’t expect from someone of his age. I think we will be seeing more of him. Richard Eyre directs Notes On A Scandal much like his prior films Stage Beauty and Iris; always getting strong and evolved character pieces that have much to say in the short time you are watching the film, but a lot to ponder thereafter. The fight scene is legendary and I have no doubt that it will be remembered for a long time to come.

It is fantastically shot, and isn’t crammed with senseless many events, but Eyre paces his Scandal slowly and deliberately. No matter who you are, I recommend rushing to your nearest movie store and renting, buying, or doing whatever you have to do to watch Notes On A Scandal; it is simply phenomenal.