Review of Notes on a Scandal (2006) by Chris M — 30 Nov 2009

I knew very little about this beforehand, asides from the great acting pedigree in the cast.

Judi Dench was nominated for an Oscar for her performance, and frankly should have won. She towers over this film in an amazingly complex role. The clue to her character is in the surname (geddit?!). Barbara Covett is a portrait of loneliness, bitterness & vulnerability. In a tremendous scene where she calls on Sheba's loyalty she moves seamlessly from helpless grief, pleading for help to indignant rage, twisting her own manipulative knife.

Cate Blanchett is one of my favourite actresses: I often like her performances better than the films she's in, but here she (only just) plays second fiddle to Judi Dench. Sheba is in some ways less likeable at first, as she seems to vainly & naively drift into an affair with one of her students. But as she becomes increasingly isolated in this impossible situation, she is further trapped by the manipulations of her older confidante.

Bill Nighy is also great in his smaller role as Sheba's husband. His scenes with their children are lovely, and his confrontation with Sheba towards the end is fantastic.

A very tight storyline is handled well in barely 90 minutes. Philip Glass' score is fantastic, and I did enjoy the way the camera often lingers luxuriously on Sheba...