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Notes on a Scandal Review

Release Date: Dec 27, 2006
Rated: language and some aberrant sexual content
Runtime: 1 hr. 32 min.
Genres: Art House/Foreign, Drama
Director:Richard Eyre
Cast:Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, Bill Nighy, Andrew Simpson, Phil Davis. Full cast + crew

Movies.com Critics

4.5

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Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

4.0

73

out of 100

Metascore^®
Generally favorable reviews
based on a weighted average of all
critic review scores.
100

out of 100

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman
It's a poison bonbon tastier than just about anything else out there.

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50

out of 100

Los Angeles Times Carina Chocano
In bringing Heller's book to the screen, director Richard Eyre ("Iris," "Stage Beauty") and screenwriter Patrick Marber ("Closer") have tossed the book's subtlety out the window, along with its psychological complexity, its running theme of self-deception and its dark, extra-wry sense of humor.

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60

out of 100

The New York Times Manohla Dargis
The actors in Notes on a Scandal are equally distinguished: Ms. Dench and Ms. Blanchett are among the finest on the market today, and each can deliver expert performances, even when, as is the case here, their roles are false and hollow. The performers sell the goods, but the goods are cheap.

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60

out of 100

The Hollywood Reporter Kirk Honeycutt
Eyre does a fine job overseeing performances by a terrific cast that rings true until female hysteria takes over the final act. But in tone and theme, the film has all the hallmarks of playwright-screenwriter Marber's stark, uncompromising misanthropy, if not misogyny.

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75

out of 100

USA Today Claudia Puig
Notes on a Scandal may be disturbing, but it is a potent and captivating account of misconduct and betrayal.

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80

out of 100

Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern
Taken at face value, these two women are simply despicable. But the screenplay has a bracing tincture of Grand Guignol, and nothing is simple when the two women are played by a couple of superlative actresses who clearly delight in one another.
90

out of 100

Variety Justin Chang
The riveting interplay between Dench and Cate Blanchett draws blood with every scene, thanks to a precision-honed script and Eyre's equally incisive direction.

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See all Notes on a Scandal reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 16+

Dark tale of betrayal and fixation isn't for kids.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this adult-targeted drama (which probably won't have much appeal for teens anyway) features mature themes and some sexual imagery. Specifically, a female teacher, Sheba, has sex with her 15-year-old male student, and the footage is fairly explicit (heavy breathing and rolling on ground; the teacher in her bra, kneeling and touching the boy's torso). The movie's other predominant sexual theme concerns a fellow female teacher's crush on Sheba, which inspires amorous dreams and comments in her diary, as well as some social machinations (she betrays a friend, spreads rumors, and judges her peers). Boys fight at school; the teachers fight, too (slapping and pushing). Characters drink beer, wine, and liquor (in a flashback, Sheba drinks beer with the student) and smoke cigarettes. Language includes some 15 uses of "f--k," plus "s--t" and "arse," in addition to some name-calling ("fatty," "pig," "tart," etc.).

Families can talk about relationships between teachers and students. How does Sheba cross the accepted boundaries? How does telling her story from Barbara's perspective affect the film? How might Sheba, Steven, or other characters see events and individuals differently? Does Sheba's life at home affect how you feel about her and what she does? How?

The good stuff

Messages: A teacher has an affair with her 15-year-old student; an older teacher manipulates the younger teacher -- both betray each another and those around them; both are also self-deluding, though one comes to understand herself more deeply.

What to watch for

Violence: Fighting between two male students; Steven's mother slaps Sheba; hectic scene with press "thronging" Sheba outside her home (she cries, the camerawork is frantic); Barbara and Sheba fight (slapping, falling into furniture, crying).
Sex: Sheba and Steven appear partly unclothed (most images are discreet or dark, but plain about their sexual acts) in a couple of scenes; some cleavage shots; some kissing; sexual slang, allusions, and references ("wank mags," "porno," "c--t," "t-ts," "dick," "f--k"). A major storyline is one female character's obssessive crush on another.
Language: At least 15 uses of "f--k," as well as other language, like "s--t," "hell," "bollocks," "bastard," and sexual slang (including "dick," "t--s," and "c--t"); some name-calling ("fatty," granny," "pig," "tart"), as well as some Britishisms ("wank," "arse," "sod-all").
Consumerism: Nokia cell phone.
Drinking, drugs and smoking: Characters drink (wine and beer) on multiple occasions, sometimes to drunkenness; Barbara smokes cigarettes repeatedly; Steven smokes a few times; a girl (Sheba's stepdaughter) smokes once; reference to "crack cocaine" background characters smoke and drink in bars.

Common Sense Media

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.

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