Notes on a Scandal

One woman's mistake is another's opportunity

NOTES ON A SCANDAL (15)

D: Richard Eyre

Fox Searchlight/DNA/UK Film Council/BBC (Scott Rudin & Robert Fox)

US 2006

91 mins

Drama

W: Patrick Marber [based on the novel by Zoë Heller]

DP: Chris Menges

Ed: John Bloom & Antonia Van Drimmelen

Mus: Philip Glass

Judi Dench (Barbara Covett), Cate Blanchett (Sheba Hart), Bill Nighy (Richard Hart), Andrew Simpson (Steven Connelly), Phil Davis (Brian Bangs), Julia McKenzie (Marjorie)

I think this could be Judi Dench's finest ever performance. She plays a spinsterish, bitter school teacher who forms a friendship with the new art teacher (Cate Blanchett), who is having an immoral (and illegal) affair with one of the students. Upon the discovery of the illicit affair, she uses emotional blackmail to manipulate her colleague.

This movie is two great actresses in their element. I don't think Dench has ever been better and I've yet to see Cate Blanchett deliver a poor performance.

It's more of a filmed stage play or ITV drama than something you might watch at the cinema, but is still an enjoyable piece of work.

6/10

Cate Blanchett & Judi Dench in Notes on a Scandal