Movie: Notes on a Scandal
Cast: Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, Bill Nighy, Andrew Simpson
Circumstance: Preview screening with tallest person I've ever dated
Accompaniment: "MA". Seen there: Joe, Aaron
Overall review: The best thrillers have plot twists that are driven by character reveals. In Notes on a Scandal we are introduced to the world of Barbara Covett, at surface an older school teacher, distinctly private, to the point, old-fashioned. Sheba Hart is a new art teacher at the school and, at surface, a friendship develops between the two. Through the course of the movie, the women, both driven by secret compulsions, enter into a co-dependence based on secrets and desires. The key here is to not reveal plot points, yet to drive you to see this film. Masterfully acted not only by Dench and Blanchett, but by the entire cast, the film drives forward carefully and forcefully with slow reveals of both characters. At the dramatic crux the scandal surrounding Blanchett's character both forces the two together and then drives them to confrontation.
Favorite moments: Wrist stroking creepiness. Siouxsie And The Banshees redux. Judi Dench naked in a bathtub, plotting.
Internal dialog: None! It's the rare movie that had me enthralled and entertained.
Laugh: Yes
Cry: No
Accompaniment's opinion: Grabbed my arm during tense moments. Quoted lines from the film on the subway ride home. Was freaked out when wrist-stroked, Dench style.
Generally: A pins and needles thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat.
View the trailer after the jump.
