notes on a scandal [A]

moviemcpeake snippet: finally, a film worthy of review. the story is intensely dark so you will not be getting a feel good jubilation from me but wow what a great story. the leading actors, cate blanchett and judi dench are fascinating, stunning, and repulsive. how blanchett lost the oscar to jennifer hudson, i will never know (well i do know and it is what makes the oscars so frustrating). the onscreen vulnerability of blanchett and dench portraying two lonely, desperate women was truly captivating and a must see during the week as you are recovering from the summer blockbuster weekends.
as the audience you are taken down two paths, one with barbara’s (dench) obsession with sheba (blanchett), the new teacher at school that befriends her. the other path follows sheba’s obsession with her young art student. as the film progresses, their secrets and actions continue to spiral out of control and each woman screams a self destructing cry for help right before our eyes.
the supporting cast, including the set and wardrobe blends perfectly with the story and provide a colorful backdrop to dench and blanchett’s performances. even if you are not into intense films focused on muddled relationships this film is a must see if only for the strong and perfectly delivered female performances.


recommendation: rent now, watch now.