Review of Notes on a Scandal (2006) by Paul M — 02 Nov 2008

Hmm... I could only give 3 stars. Not because the film is bad, really. Rather it's because I have read the book and the book is so much fabulous than the film adaptation. I must stop doing this 'read the book, watch the film immediately" thing. This happens to "The English Patient", too.

The Dame herself gave an excellent performance as Barbara Covett and my goddess, Cate Blanchett is perfect for the beautiful middle-aged teacher who is involved in a illicit afair with her, gasp, 15-year-old student! (Whenever I read such scandals in the news, I always wondered the chain of events leading to such. The book provides much interesting theories on this).

Great script, though (many of which were from the book), showcasing the British wit.

"People like Sheba think they know what it is to be lonely. But of the drip, drip of the long-haul, no-end-in-sight solitude, they know nothing. What it's like to construct an entire weekend around a visit to the launderette. Or to be so chronically untouched that the accidental brush of a bus conductor's hand sends a jolt of longing straight to your groin. Of this, Sheba and her like have no clue.".

I would recommed anyone to watch the film, then read the book. ^_^.