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Notes on a Scandal is a dark and twisted story of infatuation and betrayal that delivers great acting performances. Both Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett are worthy of their Oscar nominations while Bill Nighy is very adept in his turn as the unwitting husband. Also, Richard Eyre directs the movie very well, and the score by Philip Glass displays his usual skill. The movie begins with the introduction of Barbara Covett (Dench), a 60-something teacher who has a creepy predilection for overly intense relationships with her female co-workers. After her last relationship went awry, for reasons unknown through most of the movie, she becomes immediately smitten with the schools new art teacher Sheba Hart (Blanchett). Even though she falls deeper and deeper into her infatuation, Barbara remains elitist in her views of Sheba and her family. Barbara convinces herself of Sheba’s needs and the inferiority of her family and lifestyle. When she learns of Sheba’s adultery with an underage student she, although she is hurt at first, she uses it in an attempt to pull the reigns in on Sheba and keep her in a relationship. From there Barbara becomes more suffocating and eventually turns aggressive towards her intentions. After Sheba spurns her, Barbara escalates the fragility of their situation and no one remains unscathed.

Grade: B-