Notes on a Scandal (2006) Film Review

One of the most compelling films I've seen in a good long while is Notes on a Scandal. Starring Cate Blanchett, Judi Dench and Andrew Simpson, Notes involves good friends, Blanchett and Dench in a miserable downward spiral of trust issues, gossip, and frequent spurts of anger. As Blanchett, a new art teacher at Saint George's, reveals her intimate affair with 15-year-old Simpson, Dench becomes increasingly intrigued by how similar the two women are, despite their age disparity.

Dench's character actually reminded me of myself in that she was rather reserved with her true thoughts, and such thoughts were in no way lacking in their critical and descriptive qualities to the nearest ioda. Her story telling is in the form of a diary, just as mine usually is, albeit much more private given that it is featured on this public blog. But those sentiments are rife with unbridled impressions, untempered by the minds of others, and when brought outside the the original author's mind, they may be perceived ridiculous.

Notes on a Scandal is a highly enjoyable film that deserves your absolute attention for its entire hour and a half span. It brilliantly executes each scenario, making you think, 'oh dear, how much worse could this situation possibly get?!' Yet, inevitably, at every undulation of Notes' skillfully crafted plot, the condition of our characters' lives only worsen.