Review of Notes on a Scandal (2006) by Heather T — 05 Dec 2008

Watched this again the other night and realized how great it was. I guess character pieces like this dealing with the darker sides of human nature (like "The Talented Mr. Ripley") are often the most engrossing type of film for me.

First, I have to confess how much Judi Dench's character affected me personally. Her resemblance to my mother in the role, and the way she captured some of her motherly characteristics of guilt, manipulation, and being judgemental hit way too close to home. It makes me feel guilty to even write this. Let's move on...

Ultimately, her character was somehow horrifying, despicable, pitiful, and tragic all at once. The scene between her and Blanchett in the street as Blanchett's family waits impatiently in the car had me squirming nearly out of my seat in emotional discomfort.

Simply a superb performance that should have won Dench a best actress Oscar. Her bitter, ice-cold sarcasm in the narration alone makes the movie worth seeing.

In the other two main roles are two of my favorite actors. Cate Blanchett brings the right amount of idealism, allure, naivete, and selfishness to make her character likable yet flawed. Another personal confession: I pretty much fall in love with Blanchett in every one of her movies.

Bill Nighy, as Blanchett's husband, is one of my favorite underused actors as well. He knocks every performance out of the park, no matter how small.

The only detail that was little problematic for me was the age of the boy Blanchett has the affair with. It just seemed not quite believable to me at times that someone like her would become obsessed like that with such a young, unsophisticated kid.

Still, I think this will become one of my first Blu-ray purchases for my new player.