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Notes on a Scandal Reviews
Notes on a Scandal Reviews
| 39 of 40 people found the following review helpful  "Why shouldn't you be bad?", By This review is from: Notes on a Scandal (DVD) Notes on a Scandal is a gripping, captivating story of two lonely women and the ragged way they fall in and out of love. Sheba, a young art teacher, who falls into a torrid affair with a 15-year-old student, ostensibly because of the disappointment and difficulties in her family life. Then Barbara, an older history teacher, who takes Sheba under her wing--or so she thinks--and is the first to know her secret. The way this story unravels is enthralling and hard to watch, but at the same time I couldn't take my eyes away from the screen. I found myself sympathizing with Sheba, though I knew her actions were wrong, because I could understand the ache of loneliness one must feel when you begin to wonder if you've made the wrong choices in your life. Similarly, though the seemingly benevolent Barbara eventually turns out to have a cruel streak, I found myself empathizing for her lack of companionship and the fact that she seemed so completely alone. Notes on a Scandal is a story about... Read more 33 of 36 people found the following review helpful  Chilling, By This review is from: Notes on a Scandal (DVD) This grim drama of sexual manipulation is a story where almost everyone is a victim. Judi Dench (Barbara) plays the chilling role of the lonely spinster teacher who befriends young women with the goal of possessing them. Cate Blanchett (Sheba) is a dreamy, artistic young mother, who, after years of caring for a Down's Syndrome son, goes back to work as an art teacher at a rough London school. Barbara trains her sights on Sheba as she struggles with the chaos in the school and helps her out, but then discovers a secret to hold over her.Judi Dench manages to portray a woman who is despicable and pitiable at the same time, while Blanchett draws on our sympathy despite unforgivable transgressions. The themes are very disturbing, and there's no happy ending--Barbara moves on while the other characters pick up the pieces. Blanchett's young art student may be the only one to emerge unscathed--but I won't say more. This film is most definitely for adults only, and some will be... Read more 70 of 86 people found the following review helpful Clash Of The Acting Titans--"Scandal" Lacks Important Insight, But Offers Melodramatic Fun, By This review is from: Notes on a Scandal (DVD) One of the more critically lauded pictures of 2006, I was primarily interested in "Notes on a Scandal" for its Oscar nominated screenplay by Patrick Marber. Previously having brought "Closer" to the screen, I was eager to see his follow up. I know "Closer" had its detractors--but for me the writing was scathingly funny and refreshingly adult. And the concept behind "Notes" also sounded intriguingly grown-up. Let's be honest--who wouldn't want to see Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench square off? Emotionally and physically, this could be a battle of two of our most respected actresses. And while I did admire much of the film, the thing that ultimately disappointed me was the screenplay--and the aspects of character motivation that it doesn't bother to address."Scandal" introduces us to Blanchett, a new art teacher at the local high school. Awkward to her new position, she is something of a joke to a more experienced faculty member (played by Dench). Dench is a stern... Read more |
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