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After several years of staying home and caring for a child with Down Syndrome, Sheba Hart (Cate Blanchett) takes a job as an art teacher. Though the beautiful young teacher instantly wins the admiration of the male teachers in the school—not to mention the attention of all the male students—she builds a close friendship with Barbara Covett (Judi Dench), a stern older teacher who lives a solitary life. Their close bond changes, however, when Barbara discovers that Sheba is having an affair with one of her students—15-year-old Steven (Andrew Simpson).
Already, Barbara’s relationship with Sheba had bordered on obsession—but once she discovers her friend’s secret, Barbara decides to use it to her advantage. Barbara forces her way deeper into Sheba’s life, threatening to report the affair to the school and to Sheba’s husband, Richard (Bill Nighy), if she doesn’t do exactly as Barbara says. Though Sheba promises to end the affair immediately, it’s already too late. She may not have lost her husband and her family and her job, but she’s lost all control over her life.
Notes on a Scandal is, in a word, creepy. The story is suspenseful—in a quiet, restrained way, as opposed to the usual obvious, action-filled way. And it’s just a little bit uncomfortable (though that’s not necessarily a bad thing). Blanchett and Dench are both, for the most part, perfect for their roles. Blanchett is sweet and young and beautiful—exactly the kind of teacher that all the boys fell for in high school. And Dench is dark and brooding and a little bit scary—even when her character tries to be pleasant. Come to think of it, I had an English teacher just like her.
Despite the impressive performances, however, I just didn’t love Notes on a Scandal. It’s not that it’s boring. I had no problem sitting through it. Not once did I try to sneak a look at my watch. In fact, I may have been leaning forward in my seat, ever so slightly. But the story just doesn’t really go anywhere. I can’t go into too much detail about my dissatisfaction with the film, of course, because I’m no spoiler. But I’ll just say that its conclusion isn’t all that gratifying. Considering all the tension that builds throughout the film, I expected more of a thrilling ending—but instead of ending with a bang, it more or less just rolls to a stop.
If you love the eerie psychological suspense often found in an Alfred Hitchcock film, you’ll enjoy Notes on a Scandal. Just don’t expect much of a pay-off in the end, or you’ll be disappointed.
