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Notes on a Scandal (2006)

R  |   |  Drama, Thriller  |  26 January 2007 (USA)
7.4
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Ratings: 7.4/10 from 62,246 users   Metascore: 73/100
Reviews: 277 user | 215 critic | 35 from Metacritic.com

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.

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(screenplay), (novel)
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Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 14 wins & 56 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Tom Georgeson ...
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Syreeta Kumar ...
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Brian Bangs (as Phil Davis)
Wendy Nottingham ...
Tameka Empson ...
Leon Skinner ...
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Storyline

The bitter, cynical and lonely Barbara Covett is a tough and conservative teacher, near to retirement, who 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 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, who is about twenty years older than she; her rebellious teenager daughter Polly; and her son Ben that has Down's 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, Barbara sees the chance to ... Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

One woman's secret is another woman's power. One woman's fear is another woman's weapon. One woman's life is in another woman's hands.... See more »

Genres:

Drama | Thriller

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some aberrant sexual content | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

|

Release Date:

26 January 2007 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Escándalo  »

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$5,090 (USA) (22 December 2006)

Gross:

$17,508,670 (USA) (18 May 2007)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

| |

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Jason Reitman read the script and wanted to direct it. He called up the producers on the phone with the intention of getting the job. The producers answered: "We are in editing right now, but I hope you'll like the film when it comes out." See more »

Goofs

When Barbara tries to tear away Sheba to return to the vet's office with her, the front passenger-side door of Sheba's automobile is opened/closed from shot to shot. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Barbara Covett: [voiceover of Barbara writing in her diary] People trust me with their secrets. But who do I trust with mine? You, only you.
See more »

Connections

Featured in 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2007) See more »

Soundtracks

Dizzy
Written by Siouxsie Sioux / Steven Severin / Budgie
Performed by Siouxsie and the Banshees
Published by Chrysalis Music/Domino
(p) 2002 Siouxsie and the Banshees
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Brill, Dark, Witty....and "Marvelously Judi Dench/Cate Blanchett"
27 December 2006 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

NOTES ON A SCANDAL is a Judi Dench "triumph" of brilliant wit, pain and a satanic passion for a woman out of reach in Cate Blanchett. Her "Judas" to her supposed friend and fellow teacher is an acting performance which will land Ms. Dench right back in "Oscar country". Too bad it is in the same year as Helen Mirren's magnificent "Queen" as Dench gives a show here in NOTES ON A SCANDAL that leaves you quite breathless to the last and final scene and fade out.

Patrick Marber delivers a deliciously wicked, witty and crisply written script in NOTES, and it only enhances his reputation for giving an audience a story well developed and with characters that you can't take your eyes off on the screen. His writing in CLOSER was so brilliant and clever, but in NOTES ON A SCANDAL he hands Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett words that are zingers and with a strong blend of anger, pain and humor. Please, Patrick, gives us another film quickly! The "teacher/student" romance was well developed and the chemistry between the two actors was believable and very sexual, and one could understand the youthful passion delivered by a young man with a strong mind and body. I did at times have to listen carefully to the young actor's lines, but he delivered them like a pro.

In the weeks ahead, I anticipate a "roar from the crowd" for this very dark and witty Judi Dench performance and who knows, she may upset "The Crown" in the end come Oscar time.


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The movie left out some really good stuff from the book. SeeMyVest
Paracetamol bcubedgirl
Is Sheba the villain? very-blue
37yr old simulating sex with a 16yr old? asanal
Screenplay? scar112
Eastbourne? lucvischer-1
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