Notes on a Scandal

THE GIST: Barbara is a cynical and bitter teacher close to retirement who nobody really likes or befriends. When younger Sheba joins the school, her exuberance and friendliness bring Barbara to dislike her, but eventually they become close. When Barbara finds out about a secret affair Sheba is having, she agrees to keep quiet but demands it to end. Then, when Sheba declines to keep Barbara company in a moment of need, feeling slighted, Barbara reveals Sheba's secret, setting in motion major changes to both their lives with far reaching consequences.

Notes on a Scandal is one of those movies that I consider little gems because they rely on a solidly written screenplay fleshed out by two of the most accomplished actresses the medium has ever known: Dame Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett.

Bill Nighy, Juno Temple, and Andrew Simpson also star.

THE BOTTOM LINE: The movie builds slowly, putting piece above piece, until the whole starts unraveling. It is a pure cinematic pleasure to watch these two incredible thespians mine their craft for all their worth.

Grade: 9