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NOTES ON A SCANDAL Send This Review to a Friend
Hell hath no fury like an obsessive scorned. In “Notes on a Scandal,” the disturbingly entertaining new film directed by Richard Eyre and written by Patrick Marber based on the book by Zoë Heller, Judi Dench makes the most of her smashing role as Barbara, a woman obsessed with another woman. There is the obvious sexual attraction, but even more important is her determination to control the object of her obsession. Rejecting Barbara can be dangerous.
The acting in this delightfully nasty and admirably accomplished work is enough reason to see “Notes on a Scandal.” Dench isn’t the only one in high gear. Cate Blanchett has one of her best roles as Sheba, a beautiful, sexy, married teacher who joins the faculty at the British school where the older Barbara has been a mainstay and stickler for correctness for many years. Barbara at first is resentful of Sheba, then fascinated by her and pursues a friendship in tune her need for control.
But Sheba has other inclinations. A 15-year-old boy with nerve makes passes at her and, intrigued by the sexual attention, she succumbs. (I had no such luck as that lad when I was in school.) When Barbara catches them, she is not only shocked but seizes on her discovery as a means of establishing superiority and control over Sheba, who doesn’t yet realize what a monster Barbara can be.
The escalating results of this volatile situation are spelled out skillfully. There is further strong acting by Sheba’s husband Richard, played by the superb Bill Nighy, and by others in the well chosen supporting cast. The writing, direction and acting combine to produce a taut, intriguing tale that makes my 2006 best list. A Fox Searchlight Pictures release.
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