Notes on a Scandal: Great Psychological Drama
Judy Dench and Kate Blanchett Flirt Dangerously With Social Taboos
Sep 9, 2008
The UK's Richard Eyre directs this story which takes place in a high school in the north London borough of Islington. A narrator is used to give voice to Barbara Covett’s (Judy Dench) private musing as she peruses her students starting a new term. Her ascorbic wit, provides much of the humour in the opening scenes in which she assumes a position of superiority over her colleges and students to mask her aching loneliness. She becomes fascinated by the new the art teacher Sheba Hart (Kate Blanchett) and although from different social classes an unlikely friendship is formed. To the utter delight of the opportunistic Barbara, they become further bonded by a scandalous secret she by chance discovers Sheba is hiding.
An Interesting Relationship Develops:
As the story progresses we are privy to Barbara’s diary entries and watch her growing fascination and admiration for Sheba become more intense, needy and delusional. Sheba eventually discovers Barbara is not the friend she initially appeared to be and snippets of passing conversations serve to provide us with insight into Barbara’s own scandalous past. Gradually ,and with great skill, this film reveals how the inappropriate personal relationships both women pursue have devastating consequences.
Dench, Blanchett and Nighy:
Drawing from a wealth of over 50 years acting experience, Dame Judi Dench is a living legend who gives an outstanding performance as the eccentric lonely school teacher, who retreats into fantasy to cope with her loneliness. Although in the shadow of Dench, the talent of Blanchett does manage to shine in her role as the beautiful Bohemian art teacher who is torn between her marital life and a more exciting furtive one. Fondly reminiscent of her youth and questioning her now settled middle class life she struggles to find fulfilment in the life she now leads.
Many years older than his beautiful young wife veteran actor Bill Nighy (Pirates of the Caribbean) gives a terrific performance as Sheba’s husband Richard and achieves some rare moments of intimacy in the final touching scenes.
An Engaging Psychological Study:
It is refreshing to watch a movie with such a strong story line. Accompanied by an often dramatic and intense classical score by Phillip Glass, this film explores the physical, emotional and psychological needs that come into play when people form relationships and the inevitable disappointment that comes when reality shatters illusions. Passion’s which are ignited by love, lust, longing and desire fuel this character driven movie in which we find all the ingredients of a great drama: loyalty, commitment, friendship and betrayal. Not for the faint hearted, Notes on a Scandal is a hard hitting drama that packs a punching into some of our uncomfortable social taboos and although it ventures into some murky territory, it finally resurfaces as one of the best films to come out of 2007.
