Notes on a Scandal

Dame Judi Dench is a legend. I don't think I've seen any movie that she has been in and not liked either the movie, her acting or both. Notes on a Scandal is no exception. The story of Sheba, a teacher (Cate Blanchett) who finds herself in an affair with a student (Andrew Simpson) and confides in co-teacher (Dench). They share the secret and that secret sheds light on other secrets which turns the film upside down. Cate seems to me like she is following in the footsteps of Judi in her wonderful range of good acting. Bill Nighy is a good actor in his own right as he plays Sheba's husband. Viewers will not recognize him without all his make-up but he also portrayed Davy Jones in the Pirates of the Carribean 2. The only drawback was the lack of conclusion in how Sheba's children (specifically her daughter) were affected. Philip Glass does a mesmerizing job as composer for the nominated score. I also thought that this movie was extremely well-written by Patrick Marber and that is the Oscar that I am hoping it will win. He has written such wonderful words that makes the viewer not only want to purchase the screenplay so as not to miss (or misquote) any dialogue but he also has peaked interest to go to my local library or bookseller to read the novel it is based on by Zoe Heller. Thumbs way up but will never reach the stature of Judi and Cate's acting, Philip's composing nor Patrick's writing.