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Amazon.co.uk Review
Gold stars to all for this taut psychological thriller based on Zoe Heller's novel that that gets more insidiously twisted as it unfolds. Oscar-nominated for her chilling performance, Dame Judi Dench gives a master class as schoolteacher Barbara Covett, a frumpy, friendless, and flinty spinster who lives with her cat. A formidable presence, Barbara is standoffish with colleagues and not one for students to trifle with (not that they'd dare). Cate Blanchett, also an Oscar nominee and winner of several critics society awards for her impassioned performance, costars as Sheba Hart, the new, overwhelmed art teacher who first becomes enthrall to Barbara after she steps in to help Sheba discipline unruly students. Barbara cultivates a friendship, and insinuates herself into Sheba's chaotic life, which includes her older husband (Bill Nighy), teenage daughter, and a son with Down's syndrome. Then, Barbara catches the reckless Sheba in a compromising position with a 15-year-old student (Andrew Simpson). Seizing her opportunity, the calculating Barbara does not turn her in. Rather, she wants to "help" her. "She's the one I've been waiting for," she writes in the journals she meticulously keeps, and which provide, in voiceover, her corrosive commentary. This all sounds very Fatal Attraction, but no boiling rabbits, please; we're British. Philip Glass's Oscar-nominated score accentuates the growing menace. Though there is little in these characters to admire, (one would think GLAAD would have something to say about the predatory turn Barbara's character takes), Notes on a Scandal is a compelling tour-de-force for its Grade-A cast. --Donald Liebenson
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Notes On A Scandal [2006] is a well delivered and straight to the point drama. As suggested by the title, the movie is about a scandal emerging that affects all parties. To elaborate on this point, it involves a veteran teacher (Judi Dench), a fresh art teacher (Cate Blanchett), her husband ( Billy Nighy) and the school. So much is at stake here at the expense of a scandal, which are prestige, marriage and career. How does it end? That is the general gist of the story.
Notes on a scandal is a moving and psychological story about how one's behaviour can change the course of life dramatically. It is about marriage and friendship being really challenged through tough times. The acting to the movie is first class with Cate Blanchett, Judi Denchi and Bill Nighy offering electrifying performances to bring the characters to life. With the cast the calibre like this, it no wonders genuine credibility is added in the movie with regards to the storyline.
The reason for not awarding a full 5 star, is that the movie is little too thin and simple in terms of story and really open in the end. That my only criticism of the movie.
If you like and appreciate a good drama that offers a realistic portrayal of how's one actions and vulnerability in character can change a life into a bleak future, then this is one I would recommend. It is psychological thriller, which maybe not everyone cup of tea. Notes on a Scandal is worth watching for the subject matter it tackled and learn something from the movie.
Notes on a scandal is a moving and psychological story about how one's behaviour can change the course of life dramatically. It is about marriage and friendship being really challenged through tough times. The acting to the movie is first class with Cate Blanchett, Judi Denchi and Bill Nighy offering electrifying performances to bring the characters to life. With the cast the calibre like this, it no wonders genuine credibility is added in the movie with regards to the storyline.
The reason for not awarding a full 5 star, is that the movie is little too thin and simple in terms of story and really open in the end. That my only criticism of the movie.
If you like and appreciate a good drama that offers a realistic portrayal of how's one actions and vulnerability in character can change a life into a bleak future, then this is one I would recommend. It is psychological thriller, which maybe not everyone cup of tea. Notes on a Scandal is worth watching for the subject matter it tackled and learn something from the movie.
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Will Dame Judi ever present the the faintest trace of mediocity? In 'Notes On A Scandal', she treats us to an utterly compelling performance as Barbera Covett, an embittered journal-writing school teacher who develops an unhealthy obsession with fellow teacher Sheba Hart, played by the similarly fabulous Cate Blanchett.
Barbera's fascination grows when Sheba invites her into the home she shares with her huspand and two children. But when she discovers Sheba's affair with a 15-year-old student, the older teacher slyly uses the information to weild greater power over the object of her obsession.
Based on Zoe Heller's super-successful novel, 'Notes On A Scandal' is a superb character study, the model of a tightly paced drama, but most of all, the scintillating showcase of one of Britain's finest acting talents.
An awsome Brit drama with a visious streak and biting menace. 8 OUT OF 10.
P.J.
Barbera's fascination grows when Sheba invites her into the home she shares with her huspand and two children. But when she discovers Sheba's affair with a 15-year-old student, the older teacher slyly uses the information to weild greater power over the object of her obsession.
Based on Zoe Heller's super-successful novel, 'Notes On A Scandal' is a superb character study, the model of a tightly paced drama, but most of all, the scintillating showcase of one of Britain's finest acting talents.
An awsome Brit drama with a visious streak and biting menace. 8 OUT OF 10.
P.J.
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The film follows the relationship between a beautiful, fey art teacher, brilliantly played by Blanchett and an older, lonely spinster who teaches in the same school, played with all the building sinister accuracy of Lady Macbeth, by Dench.
Initially the friendship between the two women seems mutually supportive: Dench providing Blanchett with support and advice in handling her class; Blanchett providing Dench with friendship and an entre into her happy, wealthy, loving family.
When Dench discovers Blanchett has fallen for one of her pupils, the relationship changes. Dench allows herself to see Blanchett as more than just a beautiful innocent to be enjoyed and admired. This becomes a story of love and obsession, and the difference between the two.
Absolutely storming performances from Dench and Blanchett keep you transfixed throughout; the film's grand Shakespearean themes of love, desire, jealously and loss are transmitted through understated performances form both the central characters and the all supporting cast.
it is tautly directed, and superbly underpinned by the Philip Glass score.
This has to be one of the best films of the decade, unfairly overlooked in the awards, despite its many nominations. Brilliant.
Initially the friendship between the two women seems mutually supportive: Dench providing Blanchett with support and advice in handling her class; Blanchett providing Dench with friendship and an entre into her happy, wealthy, loving family.
When Dench discovers Blanchett has fallen for one of her pupils, the relationship changes. Dench allows herself to see Blanchett as more than just a beautiful innocent to be enjoyed and admired. This becomes a story of love and obsession, and the difference between the two.
Absolutely storming performances from Dench and Blanchett keep you transfixed throughout; the film's grand Shakespearean themes of love, desire, jealously and loss are transmitted through understated performances form both the central characters and the all supporting cast.
it is tautly directed, and superbly underpinned by the Philip Glass score.
This has to be one of the best films of the decade, unfairly overlooked in the awards, despite its many nominations. Brilliant.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The teacher, the schoolboy, and the diary
Notes on a Scandal is a tense thriller about a teacher pursuing an affair with a boy in her class, a sort of Dangerous Liaisons set in a London comprehensive. Read more
Published 4 months ago by The Big Pink One
One word: Brilliant.
This film is truly one of the best I have ever seen. Judi Dench gives an absolutely mesmerizing performance as Barbara Covett, a woman consumed by loneliness. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Lee R
NINETY TWO MINUTES OF SORDID GLOOM
Firstly I find it hard to believe any rational man would freely choose to watch this movie. Or that those forced to do so could gain any pleasure from the mundane sordid subject... Read more
Published 11 months ago by W. BUTLER
Judi shows why she is a Dame
THis is a drama of unrequited love, lesbian desire, and unfulfilled lives. That said, there is little to titillate but much to entertain. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Mr. P. Johnson
Paedophile Art Teacher
Excellent performance by Cate Blanchette who plays a paedophile art teacher, starting an illegal sexual relationship with an underage schoolboy -- one she is supposed to be... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Angel Silver
How can a film be so different to the book?
The diffences make a very good book into a pretty boring and silly film. The book is a slow burning, phychological, creepy story with intruiging characters, an interesting study... Read more
Published 20 months ago by TheDarkPhoenix
Excellent production
Anything with Judi Dench in it has got to be worth watching, and this is definitely true of Notes on A Scandal. Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2010 by Rose Wood
Read the book
You need to read the book to get the subtlety of the story. The film completely lacks the creepiness of the book, the dawning realisation that the narrator is unreliable and is... Read more
Published on 17 Feb 2010 by Rama Lama Ding Dong
Music too loud
If you are intending to watch this DVD, get the subtitles up from the start as the music drowns out the dialogue especially in the earlier, important scenes. Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2010 by NorthBrit
acting at its finest
What a combo, Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett, and locked into a relationship that is dark and doomed to produce serious repercussions. Read more
Published on 5 Dec 2009 by inch worm
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