Notes on a Scandal *** (2006, Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, Andrew Simpson, Michael Maloney, Tom Georgeson, Shaun Parkes, Phil Davis, Bill Nighy, Juno Temple) – Classic Movie Review 7897

Director Richard Eyre’s 2006 lesbian drama Notes on a Scandal was nominated for four Oscars. The smart screenplay is by Patrick Marber, based on the novel by Zoë Heller.

Judi Dench is extremely effective cast against type in a none-too-nice role as a veteran English school teacher who befriends a younger art teacher (Cate Blanchett), who is having an affair with one of her 15-year-old students. It is an interesting, maybe fascinating film, but a chilly, none too appealing one, with plenty of quality work both in front of and behind the cameras.

It is certainly interesting to see women behaving badly on screen for a change, and Dench and Blanchett really go for it, no doubt thrilled with such meaty roles.

Dame Judi Dench was nominated for Best Actress, Blanchett for Best Supporting Actress, Patrick Marber for Best Adapted Screenplay and Philip Glass for Best Achievement in Music.

Also in the cast are Andrew Simpson, Michael Maloney, Tom Georgeson, Shaun Parkes, Phil Davis, Bill Nighy, Juno Temple, Joanna Scanlan, Emma Kennedy and Syreeta Kumar.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7897

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