With Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett, two of the most acclaimed actresses of their times, taking centre-stage in Notes on a Scandal, you expect sparks to fly; and know what, they do at times since they both have such meaty roles that most actresses would give a limb or two for. Yet, for all the powerhouse acting it boasts of, the movie has been let down by the script that is nowhere commensurate with the dark and complex tale of lust, jealousy, betrayal and revenge. The movie is about Barbara, an elderly domineering history teacher, who gets emotionally obsessed with Sheba, the new art teacher in school. However, as their friendship starts developing, complications ensue when she learns of Sheba’s surreptitious and adulterous affair with a minor student who is as old as her daughter. Backed by the ominous voiceover of Judi Dench, the movie starts off well immediately catching hold of our attention. Though the film manages to remain reasonably compelling right till the end, that’s principally thanks to the two leads. The main flaw with the film lies in its inability to fully convince us why the two ladies are doing what they are doing, on account of the director’s failing in unraveling the working of their minds. Thus, at the end of the day, the film is a disturbing, if not a very profound, exploration of bitterness, insecurity and moral dilemma.
Director: Richard Eyre
Genre: Drama/Psychological Drama
Language: English
Country: UK
