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(out of 5)
Queen Elizabeths young and old come face to face in this searing drama about a lonely, spinster schoolteacher (Judi Dench) who becomes smitten with the beautiful new art instructor (Cate Blanchett) who has recently arrived at her institution. Dench notes in her diaries the disdain she has for Blanchett’s wispy attitude and the frivolities of her obvious upper class origins, but it is not long before we realize she is absolutely fixated on her. When the young heroine confides in Dench that she is having a sexual affair with her 15 year-old student, Dench sees the opportunity to keep Blanchett completely in her power. This fantastic study of psychological obsession achieves high marks in all regards, including two devilishly good performances in the leads: Dench especially has never before done such a great job of tapping into the dark side of her commanding presence, while Blanchett, who is normally a natural at playing imposing individuals, is superb as a naive optimist. The direction by Richard Eyre is top of the line, while Philip Glass’s incredible musical score does a beautiful job of underscoring the tension throughout. The point-perfect screenplay by Patrick Marber is such a treat because both of these women are sympathetic at the same time that they are reprehensible, providing for a very rich experience that keeps the audience completely hooked throughout. Once this one grabs hold of you, good luck trying to shake it off!
Fox Searchlight Pictures, DNA Films, UK Film Council, BBC Films, Scott Rudin Productions, Ingenious Film Partners
Directed by Richard Eyre
Screenplay by Patrick Marber, based on the novel What Was She Thinking: Notes On A Scandal by Zoe Heller
Cinematography by Chris Menges
Produced by Robert Fox, Scott Rudin
Music by Philip Glass
Production Design by Tim Hatley
Costume Design by Tim Hatley
Film Editing by John Bloom, Antonia van Drimmelen
Cast Tags: Adrian Scarborough, Alice Bird, Andrew Simpson, Anne-Marie Duff, Barry McCarthy,Benedict Taylor, Bill Nighy, Cate Blanchett, Catherine Drew, Debra Gillett, Derbhle Crotty, Diana Berriman, Emma Kennedy, Jill Baker, Joanna Scanlan, Jonathan Speer, Judi Dench, Julia McKenzie,Juno Temple, Leon Skinner, Max Lewis, Michael Maloney, Miranda Pleasence, Philip Davis, Shaun Parkes, Stephen Kennedy, Syreeta Kumar, Tameka Empson, Tom Georgeson, Wendy Nottingham,
Academy Award Nominations
Best Actress in a Leading Role (Judi Dench as “Barbara Covett”)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Cate Blanchett as “Sheba Hart”)
Best Music (Original Score) (Philip Glass)
Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay) (Patrick Marber)
Golden Globe Award Nominations
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture-Drama (Judi Dench)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (Cate Blanchett)
Best Screenplay (Patrick Marber)
New York Film Critics Award Nomination
Best Actress (Judi Dench)
National Society of Film Critics Award Nomination
Best Actress (Judi Dench)
National Board Of Review Award
Top Ten Films
Screen Actors Guild Award Nominations
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role (Judi Dench)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role (Cate Blanchett)
British Academy Award Nominations
Best Actress in a Leading Role (Judi Dench)
Best Screenplay – Adapted
Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film
Toronto Film Critics Award
Best Supporting Performance, Female (Cate Blanchett)
Nomination
Best Performance, Female (Judi Dench)
Boston Film Critics Award Nomination
Best Actress (Judi Dench)
Chicago Film Critics Award Nominations
Best Actress (Judi Dench)
Best Supporting Actress (Cate Blanchett)
Best Screenplay, Adapted
Best Original Score
