Notes on A Scandal

For those of you who don't know, this was a film about the teacher in the UK (Sheba, played by Cate Blanchett) who had an affair with her 15 year old student (Stephen) and got found out. Seemingly terrible premise for a movie, yes? I thought so, but figured if Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett had both read the script and agreed to be in it, then it must be ok.

And 'ok' is the understatement of the century. This film was phenomenal. The tension built up slowly through the first third, but once it did, it stayed tense. The score played a large part in that, it deserves the Oscar nomination it has since received. Not once was the premise unbelieveable for me, thanks in a large part to the Oscar nominated performances of Judi Dench (lead) and Cate Blanchett (supporting). I have never seen Judi Dench so good, and the on screen chemistry between her and Cate Blanchett was like nothing I have ever seen before.

Creepy and pathetic old women are a grossly under represented category in film, and Judi Dench has set the benchmark sky high, playing this role to perfection. Her obsession with Sheba was creepy, but never became comical. I particularly enjoyed the 'is she or isn't she gay' angle. Once a bit of history was revealed, it seems that her character had behaved in this way with sparkling younger women before, and had never been attached to a man or a woman. Which led me to the interesting conclusion that her obsession was nothing to do with her sexuality, because her sexuality is something she had never fully explored. I find issues of sexuality absolutely intriguing, and love to seem them delicately and subtely explored in film.

Another theme also running through this movie was the one of the seductive attraction of youth. Sheba was much younger than her husband, obviously Stephen (the student) was much younger than Sheba. In turn, Judi Dench's character was seemingly irresistably attracted to younger women, in a sexual way or not. Even Sheba's daughter Polly had an older boyfriend. In the aspect, some of the relationships turned out well, some not so well. Some remained tender and some turned violent. The film never preached on these aspects.

Note on a Scandal was almost flawless. The score, the direction, the performances - especially the performances. The casting was impeccable. I can't emphasise enough how satisfying this movie experience was. Thought provoking but never moralising and suggesting answers - loved it.

9.5