Rent Notes on a Scandal (2006)

Absolutely brilliant - Notes on a Scandal review by KB

Great performance of such a first-class cast.

Excellent film showing the reality of the wife stuck in a middle-class marriage and being pulled by a 15-year pupil.

Dark Relationship Drama - Excellent - Notes on a Scandal review by GI

This intense and quite chilling drama is a masterclass in screen acting. Judi Dench is a malevolent and conniving woman who sees an opportunity and exploits all others to get her way. It proves Dench's versatility as she's quite horrid here and seeing her in a role like this jars the senses. She plays Barbara, a London teacher, who runs her class with an iron fist but outside the school is a lonely cynical spinster. When young art teacher Sheba (Cate Blanchett) joins the school Barbara manipulates a friendship with her which causes a little consternation with Sheba's husband (Bill Nighy) and her family. Sheba begins an ill advised sexual relationship with a 15 year old pupil which is discovered by Barbara who confronts Sheba but agrees to keep quiet about it much to Sheba's relief. But Barbara has her own warped agenda and reason in covering for her. The screen dynamic between Dench and Blanchett forms the centre of this narrative. It's a story of jealousy, rage and sexual longing that spirals into a complex web of relationships, all of which ends in dire consequences. It's certainly a very compelling drama that doesn't shy away from the issues and refuses to excuse any of them. It's well written and directed and definitely a highly recommended drama.