THE PLOT THUS FAR
A veteran high school teacher befriends a younger art teacher, who is having an affair with one of her 15-year-old students. However, her intentions with this new “friend” also go well beyond platonic friendship.
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“Notes on a Scandal” is something that Hitchcock would’ve done in his later and aggressive years. Judi Dench plays Barbara and she might be in love with the new art teacher. However, she can’t get over her hatred of all the simpletons in her life. The students she teaches are dumb and not one can live up to the expectations in her head. However, Barbara catches the new teacher having an intimate encounter with a student. What is Barbara to do? Force a relationship and find out how someone so perfect like the art teacher can go so wrong.
Patrick Marber wrote a hell of a screenplay. While “Closer” will always be my preferred work of Marber, there’s something about how awful and evil Barbara becomes in this film. While time has passed enough and a lot of viewers have put this movie out of mine, I hope this plays on Dench’s highlight reel when she kicks the bucket. There’s something so true and earnest about a lady that hates the competition that much. Not to mention the sexual issues which get played up and down like a concerto. The raw emotions and feelings of loneliness are something that I’ve rarely seen in a female powered film. Honestly, you guys need to pick it up.
The Blu-Ray comes with commentary, featurettes and webisodes as the special features. The A/V Quality is strong for a quiet drama. The 1080p transfer shows a bit of age, but it’s always looked a little worn. The same goes for the DTS-HD 5.1 master audio track. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase to fans.
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!