The bitter, cynical and lonely Barbara Covett (Judi Dench) is a tough and conservative teacher near to retirement that is loathed by her colleagues and students. In the loneliness of her apartment, she spends her spare time writing her journal, taking care of her old cat Portia and missing her special friend Jennifer Dodd. When Sheba Hart (Cate Blanchett) joins the high-school as the new art teacher, Barbara dedicates her attention to the newcomer, writing sharp and unpleasant comments about her behavior and clothes. When Barbara helps Sheba in a difficult situation with two students, the grateful Sheba invites her to have lunch with her family. Sheba introduces her husband and former professor Richard Hart (Bill Nighy),who is about twenty years older than she; her rebellious teenager daughter Polly (Juno Temple); and her son Ben (Max Lewis) that has Dawn Syndrome. Barbara becomes close to Sheba, but when she accidentally discovers that Sheba is having an affair with the fifteen year-old student Steven Connolly (Andrew Simpson),Barbara sees the chance to manipulate and get closer to Sheba, hiding the secret from the school headmaster. When Portia dies and Sheba does not stay with Barbara in the veterinary office to see Ben in a theater play, Barbara plots a Machiavellian revenge against Sheba, creating a scandal and consequent turmoil in their lives.

"Note on a Scandal" is a gem to be discovered by movie lovers. This tale of obsession, loneliness and Machiavellism is supported by a magnificent screenplay and awesome performances of Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett, two of the best actresses of the cinema industry in the present days. The story has drama, romance, passion, lust, obsession and eroticism disclosed in an adequate pace. The development of the lead characters is perfect, disclosing two lonely and obsessed women, one compulsive and loathed by everybody around her, and the other that is the object of desire of the old teacher, her husband and a young student. The result is one of the best movies that I have recently seen. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "Notas Sobre Um Escândalo" ("Notes on a Scandal")

As a fan of Judi Dench, I was recommended Notes on a Scandel. When I saw it for myself, I was really impressed. I loved how gritty and observational Notes on a Scandal was, and how Dench's character skillfully played with the audience's emotions. I loved the beautiful, dark yet evocative cinematography and locations. I also was surprised at how much I liked Phillip Glass's moody score, I can find Glass repetitive, but this and The Hours are some of his better work. I loved how deliciously acerbic the screenplay was, how compelling the story was and how solid the direction was. And I loved the acting, both Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett are given meaty characters, Dench in particular, and both give brilliant performances. While the ending is a little melodramatic and packs less of an emotional punch than the rest of the film, overall Notes on a Scandal is pretty darn impressive. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Notes On A Scandal using a technique developed by Eugene O'Neill in Strange Interlude tells the story of a pair of middle school teachers Judy Dench and Cate Blanchett. It is through Dench that we see the drama unfold. Dench between dialog narrates the story and in her narration speaks her real thoughts like O'Neill's characters in Strange Interlude.

Dench is a frustrated old battle ax who is a lesbian. We never do learn whether she's ever had a relationship with another woman as a peer. From what we see of her character she's demanding and manipulative.

Blanchett is a popular new art teacher who is going through her mid life crisis. She drifts into an affair with a 15 year old student Arthur Simpson whom she sees as an art protégé.

Dench finds out about it, but she does not report it as her job required her to do. Instead she blackmails Blanchett, not directly as it were, but subtly calling herself Blanchett's friend and trying ever so hard to spin a web of trust. Sooner or later the move romantically will come. Dench also keeps a journal of this and these are the Notes On A Scandal.

Besides Strange Interlude, Notes On A Scandal also bears comparison to the Vanessa Redgrave film, The Bostonians from the Eighties which is adapted from a Henry James novel. Young Maddeline Potter is caught between a life totally dedicated to the feminist movement with Vanessa Redgrave or romance with a courtly handsome southern lawyer in Christopher Reeve. Redgrave's character was quite manipulative although I think Dench wins the manipulation contest between the two of them.

The way the film is written and structured Judy Dench is playing two roles almost at the same time. The character interacting with others and the one who is narrating the film through her notes. It's quite a task and got Ms. Dench an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.

Probably Cate Blanchett should have been nominated in that category as well, but I guess so the two women wouldn't be competing against each other Blanchett got an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Their scenes together truly sizzle, especially at the end.

Fans of Judy Dench and Cate Blanchett will be well pleased with Notes On A Scandal.