Notes on a Scandal

There’s so much going on in “Notes on a Scandal” that it’s unlikely you’ll be catching it all at first glance. The acting is superb, the characters complicated and the writing is excellent. I often hear people wishing they could forget about the bad movies they’ve seen, but I think the opposite is what you want. You’d like to remember the names of the bad movies so you never waste your time on them again, but pictures like “Notes on a Scandal” you want to slip from your mind so you can re-watch it and be as surprised as you were the first time.

Barbara (Judi Dench) is a high-school teacher nearing retirement. She’s stern, reserved and not particularly well liked but has earned her seniority and everyone’s respect. Despite her nasty attitude, she befriends Sheba (Cate Blanchett) the new art teacher. One day, Barbara discovers that Sheba is having an affair with a 15-year-old student, Steven (Andrew Simpson) Anyone else would expose Sheba to the authorities, but for Barbara, this becomes a way to form an even stronger friendship with the woman as she begins to “look out” for her.

The characters in this picture are rich and fascinating. Judi Dench is completely convincing in the role. Her character is both engaging and revolting. As the movie plays out, you’ll switch between admiring Barbara because she’s so good at manipulating people, and hating her as she secretly judges everyone around her (including Sheba’s young son with Down Syndrome) Same thing for Cate Blanchett’s character Sheba; you dislike her because she’s having sex with a 15-year-old student and stupidly falling in love with him, but as you get to know her and see the consequences of her actions, you understand what she’s all about and sympathize with her. Constantly throughout the movie, you’ll be changing your mind on who you’re cheering for as the two women get more characterization and the situation gets increasingly complicated. At times it’s thrilling and often scary. You really can’t predict how far Barbara will go to preserve or develop the friendship. Even though she’s an old woman, you feel threatened by her. Most frightening is the fact that she’s real. She has just as many vulnerable moments as Sheba does and makes some critical mistakes that do come back and haunt her later in the film.

It’s a rich, satisfying film whose developments will have you tearing your napkin into tiny squares in an attempt to calm your nerves. In addition to the two leads, I felt that Sheba’s husband, played by Bill Nighy was particularly strong. Not as much time is dedicated to him as to Barbara or Sheba, but you get a full portrait of what he’s like, how his mind works and what his relationship to Sheba is like. There’s so much life in this film that when it all starts to crumble, it’s like a hand squeezing your throat.

This Richard Eyre picture is going to be a revelation for some. How many times have we seen a film about a man or woman harassed and stalked by someone they struck up a friendship with? They’re a dime a dozen and you likely have a favorite. One of two things will happen after you see "Notes on a Scandal"; either you’ll find a way to make some room and add “Notes on a Scandal” to your collection or you’ll find a way to make room “Notes on a Scandal” by getting rid of that obsessed/stalker movie that USED to be your favourite, until you saw this one. (On DVD, December 3, 2013)