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Notes On A Scandal (2006) DVD Review
Notes On A Scandal (2006) DVD Credits:
Notes On A Scandal (2006) Directed by:
Richard Eyre
Notes On A Scandal (2006) Written by:
Patrick Marber
Notes On A Scandal (2006) Cast:
Cate Blanchett, Judi Dench, Bill Nighy
Notes On A Scandal (2006) Released by:
Not available at this time
Region:
1
Notes On A Scandal (2006) DVD Release Date:
16th April 2007
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Notes On A Scandal (2006) Synopsis:

When Sheba Hart (Cate Blanchett) joins St. George's as the new art teacher, Barbara Covett (Judi Dench) senses a kindred spirit. But Barbara is not the only one drawn to her. Sheba begins an illicit affair and Barbara becomes the keeper of her secret. "Notes on a Scandal" is a story of loneliness, loyalty, envy and love.

Notes On A Scandal (2006) DVD Review:

What is remarkably fascinating about Notes on a Scandal is the use of a primarily female cast, despite the fact that it still remains a taut and effective piece of suspense. Also remarkable is the casting of older women in these roles. Although Cate Blanchett still passes for much younger, she plays a woman approaching her later years, and Judi Dench is remarkable as woman nearing the end of her days entirely. Much of Notes on a Scandal works as a thriller and a horrific example of loneliness, but some may be turned off by the negative and somewhat creepy manner that homosexuality is handled in the film.

Above all Barbara (Judi Dench) is a brilliant observer, often sitting in the corner watching and listening. Without any participation she is able to spot many secrets that many would rather not be known, writing them in her notebooks as she has nobody else to share her secrets with. A majority of the film is the voiceover from these notebooks, letting us know how effortlessly she is able to take control of the people around her by their secrets. Yet, although her manipulations are somewhat off-putting and quite like Iago of Shakespeare’s Othello, there is also a sensitivity allowed to creep in as we watch this lonely older woman lose her cat, the only true companion in her life. It seems a fitting remark that the cat should die simply of old age, rather than of a disease, as Barbara herself seems destined for the same fate.

When Barbara sets her sights on new teacher, Sheba (Cate Blanchett), a middle-aged teacher who carries herself almost as if she were one of the students, it takes a mistake on Sheba’s part for a true connection to occur as far as Barbara is concerned. Unable to love anyone without manipulation, Barbara uses Sheba’s shameful affair with one of the students who tells her tales of an impoverished life and a father who hates him. This strange and bizarre chain of events somehow manages to bring the two women closer together building in what feels like it could end horribly. The film is filled with intense and terrible anticipation, keeping the end a mystery which isn’t easily matched.

The special features include a commentary track by director Richard Eyre and a number of great featurettes. There is a featurette of most basic sorts, just to help promote the film, as well as one which is filled with behind-the-scenes footage. The last noteworthy featurette is a special which appeared on the Fox Movie channel, primarily focusing on Blanchett.

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Notes On A Scandal (2006) DVD review written by: Ryan Izay

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