Notes on a Scandal (2006, GBR) C-92m. *** D: Richard Eyre. Starring Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, Bill Nighy, Andrew Simpson, Juno Temple. Fine drama about elderly school teacher Dench, who befriends new colleague Blanchett and takes her under her wing. The wife and mother of two then makes the mistake of commencing an affair with a 15-year-old student. When Dench finds out, her true intentions surface. Intelligent character-driven drama based on a novel by Zoe Heller has some powerful moments and offers two exceptional roles for two exceptional actresses. Excellent score by Phillip Glass is omnipresent and improves film's pace and dramatic impact. Photographed by Chris Menges.


© Ron Altman