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Notes On
A Scandal DVD Review
Notes On A Scandal is a
master-class in truly fantastic acting. Based on the book by
Zoë Heller (which is also fantastic, go read it), the textured
and compelling performances given by both Dame Judi Dench and
Cate Blanchett are what elevate this film into four-star
territory.
Dench plays Barbara Covett, who becomes obsessed with fellow
teacher Sheba Hart (Blanchett) and uncovers the latter’s
affair with a schoolboy. So far, so standard. But Dench
relishes the chance to sink her teeth into this great
cinematic monster, both achingly vulnerable and freakishly
creepy, with a chilling voiceover that dominates proceedings.
Meanwhile, Blanchett is luminous in her role, making the
character a hell of a lot more sympathetic than in the novel.
Bill Nighy is also rather wonderful in his small role as
Sheba’s husband.
The best lines in Patrick Marber’s script are lifted directly
from Heller’s caustic original. Unfortunately, the film
sometimes forces Barbara into being far more of a crazed
lesbian than the book did – lucky then, that the actors make
the whole thing so utterly believable. For a film without much
plot, things are surprisingly well-paced, making the action
even more gripping.
Special features are a bit rubbish - a couple of featurettes
that are mostly film clips and some real rip-offs, ‘webisodes’
that are all of a minute long. But really, hearing the actors
discuss and dissect character almost destroys the spell that
the movie casts on you. Let the performances, all of which
were cruelly overlooked in Oscar season, speak for themselves.
Bar the rather hammy and far-too-neat ending (another reason
why you should read the book), Notes On A Scandal is an
intelligent, compulsive and brilliantly-acted film.
Rachel Read
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