Notes on a Scandal

Classy Drama Falls a Little Short, 18 February 2007

Author: gary-444 from United Kingdom


*** This review may contain spoilers ***


This classy melodrama glides between the sublime, and the unsatisfactory,but nonetheless deserves a viewing. At the centre of the film Judi Dench and Cate Blanchette battle it out like thespian queens as ageing dyke, and fallen wife and mother, respectively. Essentially an art -house film with big budget credentials, it probably just falls short of the finishing line because it can't quite make up it's mind what it is.

Essentially the tale of how a lonely spinster ensnares a fellow teacher having an affair with an under age boy, the film holds strong in it's portrayal of School, with some particularly acerbic and witty observations on Education. Assisted by several marvellous cameos, the supporting cast ably assist the central duo with Bill Nighy and Julia Mackenzie in fine form.

The dialogue and acting are consistently excellent, if a little over reliant on Barbera's, as played by Dench, voice overs.Frustratingly we never really get to grip with Sheba's, as played by Blanchette,motivation for the affair. The much older husband and autistic son ultimately serve as fairly crude signposts which could have been more satisfyingly fleshed out.

The relatively tight hour and a half running time does feel longer, and the end signals the end of the "steam" of the narrative- which is fully underscored by a melodramatic Phillip Glass soundtrack which occasionally eschews all subtlety. Barbera's closing scene attempting to ensnare her next victim seems contrived and very "Hollywood" with all the pace having left the story after Sheba's final showdown with Barbara in her flat.

Some films are worthwhile despite their flaws, and "Notes On A Scandal" dwarfs much of todays contemporary output.