Notes on a Scandal

[Phil Turner]

A new Judi Dench film at the cinema is always a source of great anticipation for me. Civilised dramas like Mrs Brown, Iris and Ladies in Lavender have been amongst my favourite films in recent years.

I thought her new film Notes on a Scandal was good without being outstanding. It's more of an adult psychological thriller than a heavyweight drama, with Judi Dench cast against type in an unlikeable role. Without giving too much away, she plays an embittered loner with designs on a younger woman (played by Cate Blanchett) and cleverly manipulates circumstances to her own advantage.

The performances were of a high standard and I think the Oscar/BAFTA nominations were fully deserved. The story was involving and the characters were strong. However, the issues could have been explored more fully and the ending was a bit melodramatic. It's a kind of variation on Fatal Attraction with a bit more class and gravitas.

A good film with a few flaws in my opinion.

Regards
Phil Turner

[Merton Park]

Saw it yesterday, one of the best films of the year for me. Both leading actresses were outstanding, and fully deserve their Oscar niminations, don't be too suprised if they both win. Highly dramatic with great emphasis from the music. Tremendous film.

[samkydd]

Originally Posted by Phil Turner A new Judi Dench film at the cinema is always a source of great anticipation for me. A good film with a few flaws in my opinion. Regards Phil Turner

It's been over-hyped to the hilt and this alone puts me off wanting to see it. I may catch it on DVD when it comes out in a few days!

[willan]

Saw it this afternoon in York and it was excellent I thought.Well worth seeing at the cinema in my opinion.

[WiseFilms]

It was a very good one.
I agree with you, Phil, that it does have a few flaws, which I would say are quite major flaws:
...(1) the score is monotonous and overly intrusive, (2) the voice-over only works well for 2/3rd's of the picture, after which it is over-worked, and (3)--my biggest problem:
Cate Blanchett's on-screen family gets a lot of screen time -and although the performances are to be commended- it is poorly thought out, how her on-screen family are shown. The tension, between husband and wife, at the end, is severely muted.. because we don't know enough about them, to really care.
It gets drummed up to a hysterical psychodrama, when it could have been more of a taught mystery throughout.

It reminded me of Jane Campion's similar misjudgement, for Holy Smoke, which spiraled out of control towards the end, to the point where we lose nearly all connection with the characters as recognizable human beings.