Notes on a Scandal

Name: Notes on a Scandal
Genre: Drama
Released: December 27, 2006
Duration: 92 min
Rating: 73
Cast: Andrew Simpson, Cate Blanchett, Judi Dench

2006

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 127 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 127 Ratings

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Notes On A Scandal

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Movie Details & Credits

Fox Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: December 27, 2006 | R

Starring: Andrew Simpson, Cate Blanchett, Judi Dench

Summary: Based on the novel by Zoe Heller, this psychological thriller portrays two women caught up in a drama of need and betrayal. (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Director: Richard Eyre

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 92 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Ruthe Stein

Notes on a Scandal won't be everyone's cup of tea. But if you like your films strong, this one is not to be missed. Read full review

David Ansen

A wicked delight. Adapted by playwright Patrick Marber from Zoe Heller's acclaimed novel, it's at once a comedy of cluelessness and class, a melodrama of two women in the grips of wildly inappropriate obsessions, and a "Fatal Attraction"-style thriller. Read full review

Jack Mathews

As the relationship between the two British schoolteachers begins (quietly), builds (deceptively) and dissolves (spectacularly), Dench and Blanchett give a master class in acting. Pick your own sports metaphor, but watching them go at each other is the match of the year. Read full review

Lawrence Toppman

The best vampire movie I've seen in years. Read full review

Peter Travers

If you want to see explosive acting, just watch Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett ignite in this film version of Zoe Heller's 2003 novel. Read full review

Rick Groen

We're left with the weakest part of the novel -- the lurching and often melodramatic plot -- plus the chance to see two splendid actors, Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett, do the best they can with what they're given (sadly, in Blanchett's case, not much). Okay, no one would call that trade-off a scandal, but it sure ain't much of a bargain. Read full review

Phil Hall

Sadly, the whole affair is little more than ennui with a pedigree. Read full review

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User Reviews

ChristopherW.

Apr 23, 2007

One of the very finest films of 2006. Dench and Blanchett give flawless and unforgettable performances, particularly Dench. If the immortal Helen Mirren hadn't been in the running, Dench would most certainly have taken home a second Oscar. This film cuts deep, and its themes of abject One of the very finest films of 2006. Dench and Blanchett give flawless and unforgettable performances, particularly Dench. If the immortal Helen Mirren hadn't been in the running, Dench would most certainly have taken home a second Oscar. This film cuts deep, and its themes of abject isolation and loneliness are handled with a deftness and subtlety that few other films in this genre have matched. Both Blanchett's and Dench's characters are morally very questionable, but these two actresses create portraits that evoke empathy and compassion nonetheless. Brilliant filmmaking!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

JeralynB.

Jan 15, 2007

Even when their characters are caught in a delightful web of struggle & strife, Dench & Blanchett give EXCELLENT performances!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

BradleyFilm

Apr 20, 2012

Flawless and tense; 'Notes on a Scandal' is a perfect blend of drama and thriller with immense performances from both Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

BilB.

Jan 7, 2007

Judi is flawless. The story flows nicely for those who can think and imagine, others may think it drags. Subtle innuendos, dispair, loneliness, and longing are ever present and Judi does a fantastic job putting a true human face to feelings and things many may not know or have never Judi is flawless. The story flows nicely for those who can think and imagine, others may think it drags. Subtle innuendos, dispair, loneliness, and longing are ever present and Judi does a fantastic job putting a true human face to feelings and things many may not know or have never experienced and a powerful reminder for those who know them all to well.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

DawdlingPoet

Nov 22, 2021

This is a story with a few plot twists, of which I felt certainly one or two were obvious but others came as quite a shock. Certainly it made me question who was in control and what the motives were behind the two main characters. The musical score is quite sombre and perhaps slightlyThis is a story with a few plot twists, of which I felt certainly one or two were obvious but others came as quite a shock. Certainly it made me question who was in control and what the motives were behind the two main characters. The musical score is quite sombre and perhaps slightly haunting. The pace of the movie is quite good and it becomes really quite tense and nerve wracking towards the end, when many questions come to light that really make you wonder about the basis of the two ladies friendship and what will come.

Dialogue wise, its a bit academic, with Barbara both shown on screen as a main character obviously but also providing the voice over, where she always seems to be very much of a thinker, speaking her mind and being well spoken, she's quite careful with her words, describing things very precisely and being quite specific, if that makes any sense. She comes across as someone who believes she holds all her own cards, who plans out everything she does and is somewhat of a manipulator. This is what made the film rather compelling, as most of it was spent by me trying to see if I could second guess her motives and how the story would pan out. As well as Barbara, of course there's Sheba (a fairly uncommon name, surely?), who is perhaps less of an interesting character - she comes across as someone who at first appears quite strong and self assured but who ends up in a rather vulnerable situation, ironically, given what she does is seen as obviously taking advantage of a vulnerable, underage person. I thought this was a well scripted movie which is really very tense and quite dramatic in parts. I found the plot twists quite good overall and thought it was quite a compelling watch. The ending is particularly chilling and poignant, I felt. The musical score I should perhaps say is particularly good, it really fave it a sinister feel at times. I should maybe also point out that the story in terms of Sheba pursuing a relationship with the under age pupil turns out to be somewhat of a sub-plot, certainly in terms of scenes between her and the pupil its kept to a minimum. Ultimately this is a movie about communication, trust and manipulation. I found myself feeling quite sorry for Sheba's children, one of which has downs syndrome, which I presume is added to compel the viewer to feel sorry for them in a sense?.

Content wise, there's the ocassional use of strong language, although it isn't as bad as in other films with its rating, plus of course some scenes of a sexual nature, although nothing too gratuitous. There is some mild to moderate violence present as well but perhaps moreso the sinister undercurrent, brought out well by the musical score - this is perhaps not for anyone especially paranoid? maybe I'm being a bit too cautious in saying that but there you go(!). Hopefully that gives you an idea of what it consists of, roughly. Cast wise, the two main characters are played by Judi Dench (as Barbara) and Kate Blanchett (as Sheba). Judi Dench gave a particularly convincing, rather haunting performance as Barbara and Kate did well enough portraying the rather headstrong yet ultimately flawed Sheba. Other well known cast members include Bill Nighy, who plays Shebas husband, a nice enough man who is rather clueless to what goes on for the most part and Philip Davis as Brian, a man with an interest in Sheba who approaches Barbara for advice. Genre wise, I'd classify this as a psychological thriller more than anything else.

As far as down sides are concerned, it could be argued that Sheba is a bit of a hard character to feel sorry for, in terms of what she does and becoming vulnerable herself - she chose to put herself in that situation, even though (as she admits) she knew she shouldn't have. Also, before the pace had really hot up half way through the movie, there was an element of the two characters seeming like perhaps slightly unlikeable, somewhat **** people, which obviously doesn't make it too compelling but that changes as the story develops and more plot twists unfold.

Yes I'd recommend this movie, as I felt it was well written and was quite suspenseful, the ending being quite good and even poignant. It has a good use of score and features multiple plot twists which kept me guessing, although one or two may be slightly obvious, it certainly wasn't all.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SteveA.

Jan 27, 2007

This was a decent movie, but very bleak and sinister. I felt sorry for both the main leads, and I can see the reasoning behind their actions and motives. However, towards the end of the movie, both characters had lost their humanity and were becoming the same monster. I went from caring a This was a decent movie, but very bleak and sinister. I felt sorry for both the main leads, and I can see the reasoning behind their actions and motives. However, towards the end of the movie, both characters had lost their humanity and were becoming the same monster. I went from caring a lot about them to not caring at all. The only other thing that bothered me was that the relationship between the young teacher and boy was bittersweet, even beautiful at times. (Unfortunately, I'm so used to seeing American cinema trivialize and vilify disturbing subject matter.)… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

ReidF.

Jan 27, 2007

Well-acted, this is a nasty, nonsensical film about vile, cartoonish people whom you never care about.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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90	#90 Best Movie of 2006
89	#89 Most Discussed Movie of 2006
54	#54 Most Shared Movie of 2006