Review: Notes on a Scandal

UK release date: 2nd February

Judi Dench reunites with Iris director Richard Eyre to give one of the most intense performances of her career in this gritty, observational drama based on Zoë Heller’s bestselling novel.

The Oscar-nominated Dench injects malignant spite into the role of Barbara Covett, a lonely London teacher who develops a dark obsession with her spirited new colleague Sheba (fellow nominee Cate Blanchett). After catching Sheba in a compromising position with an underage student, Barbara’s fixation reaches skin-crawling levels.

Dench and Blanchett really sink their teeth into their meaty characters, clearly relishing Closer scribe Patrick Marber’s deliciously acerbic script. Yet what makes Dench’s performance the stronger of the pair is her skilful manipulation of the audience’s emotions — eliciting initial sympathy, despite Barbara’s sharp tongue, so that her subsequent behaviour hits even harder.

The film’s melodramatic climax packs less of a punch, but this is still deeply satisfying adult viewing, complemented by a mood-enhancing Philip Glass score.

Radio Times rating:

****

UK cinema certificate 15
Running time 91mins

Review by Sloan Freer