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Notes on a Scandal
Notes on a Scandal
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Notes on a Scandal

Notes on a Scandal

2006
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
1h 32m
Based on the novel by Zoe Heller, this psychological thriller portrays two women caught up in a drama of need and betrayal. (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Directed by:

Richard Eyre

Screenwriter:

Patrick Marber, Zoe Heller

Starring:

Cate Blanchett, Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Joanna Scanlan, Shaun Parkes, Philip Davis, Michael Maloney, Andrew Simpson, Juno Temple, Emma Kennedy, Tom Georgeson, Syreeta Kumar

Genres:

Drama, Suspense/Thriller, Crime

Country:

UK

Languages:

English, French
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Notes on a Scandal

2006
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
1h 32m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 57.65% from 1675 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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dean_franzDean Franz
Rated 16 Mar 2011
77
74th
Delectable melodrama that manages to feel highbrow and sleazy at the same time. The acting by Blanchett, Nighy and Dench is virtually flawless and the monologues written for the latter are humorously poisonous and tragic. It's a nasty little treasure trove of antagonism, guilt and sexual frustration and if that doesn't sound like it'll make you hard then God help you, cause I can't.
Rated 16 Mar 2011
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 19 Oct 2008
7
68th
I thought it was pretty good but I know I'll forget about this in a couple of weeks.
Rated 19 Oct 2008
suture_selfSuture Self
Rated 30 Mar 2008
4
34th
Dench is remarkable and Blanchett illustrates yet again how marvelous and versatile of an actress she really is. That being said, the film's intensity is slightly downplayed by the mediocre ending and the unfulfilling script. I expected more from the story. Regardless, the performances hold it well above water.
Rated 30 Mar 2008
eric_janeric-jan
Rated 17 Jan 2014
70
54th
Cate Blanchett is just amazing in this movie! What an actress!! Great acting in this movie by all and makes you wonder about student-teacher relationships. Pfffff, but this really made me see Judi Dench in another light :-| Holy crap! SCARY! :P
Rated 17 Jan 2014
ecitizeneCitizen
Rated 10 May 2013
70
70th
With Cate Blanchett, Judy Dench and Bill Nighy I really wanted to love this, but was only moderately satisfied by this movie. The story is very bleak. Blanchett is a young, spoiled, bored school teacher who allows herself to be seduced by one of her under age students. And Dench plays a frustrated woman pursuing her dark obsession for her. All the ingredients for a thriller, but this plays out as a sad story of personal weakness and heinous betrayal.
Rated 10 May 2013
nathandarkoNathanDarko
Rated 17 Sep 2009
92
87th
Very thrilling.In some moments I forgot to breath. Very strong acting by Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett.
Rated 17 Sep 2009
teddedonTedDedon
Rated 27 Apr 2007
71
44th
Well acted and intense at some parts but ultimately a little too short to fulfill the emotional subject matter and characters that could have otherwise been realized much better.
Rated 27 Apr 2007
djrossdjross
Rated 25 Jul 2024
70
78th
Very enjoyably put together, though at times it seems that a fair bit must have been left on the proverbial floor of the proverbial cutting room. Needless to say, Dench is very good. I feel sure that in one of the Javier Marías books the main character knew Patrick Marber and expressed opinions about this film, but I can’t for the life of me remember which one it was.
Rated 25 Jul 2024
jarobmuljarobmul
Rated 16 Mar 2024
88
96th
I watched this on my way through Cate Blanchett's filmography, but it was Judi Dench who completely stole the show.
Rated 16 Mar 2024
colorbufcolorbuf
Rated 09 Jan 2022
75
78th
Excellent character study about the corrupting potential of loneliness.
Rated 09 Jan 2022
gsbgsb
Rated 11 May 2021
60
23rd
I'm one of those extremely biased people who loved the book (probably one of my favorite novels ever) so I was most likely never going to fully satisfied. The problem here is that the movie is more of a thriller then the deeply moving character study it should've been.
Rated 11 May 2021
dyannethorneDyanneThorne
Rated 29 Sep 2017
52
36th
Top notch acting, but everybody are just so simultaneously unsympathetic and stupid.
Rated 29 Sep 2017
carlosproCarlospro
Rated 23 Nov 2016
80
81st
por mais filmes com cate blanchett e judi dench juntas
Rated 23 Nov 2016
dunbardunbar
Rated 12 Dec 2015
75
61st
A decent film with a somewhat forgettable storyline. However, Dench and the score, Dench and the score, need I say more?
Rated 12 Dec 2015
wezzoWezzo
Rated 31 Mar 2015
76
39th
I admire this film, I truly do, but elements don't work for me. Most significantly, I found the narration an irritating, pretentious distraction.. and considering they comprise the titular "notes", that's not ideal. Still, the atmosphere's a stellar one, and the performances are standout - overall, I found more to like than dislike. But I can't call it a classic.
Rated 31 Mar 2015
jenner1407jenner1407
Rated 04 Feb 2015
89
95th
A not-so-guilty pleasure. High camp, with two of the most magnetic actresses of our time.
Rated 04 Feb 2015
closedmouthclosedmouth
Rated 16 Jun 2014
70
41st
Mostly pretty tight and compelling in the first half, but I lost a bit of interest once Dench's sinister motives started to become more apparent and it started to go a bit melodramatic. Worth watching for the acting, even if there's a bit too much ridiculous yelling (the "Here I am!" scene had me cringing pretty hard).
Rated 16 Jun 2014
glm01glm01
Rated 23 Mar 2014
82
71st
81.500
Rated 23 Mar 2014
tc_mercadoTC Mercado
Rated 10 Jan 2014
75
50th
Nothing new or inventive here but it's acted brilliantly with leads you can't take your eyes off. Flaunts Dench's lesser seen dynamic while Blanchett's tragic Sheba will break your heart.
Rated 10 Jan 2014
ag0stomesmerAg0stoMesmer
Rated 12 Nov 2013
5
98th
Tense, dark and brilliantly performed melodrama. Watching this made it a gold star day.
Rated 12 Nov 2013
wayofthegunwayofthegun
Rated 25 Jun 2013
80
66th
Strong writing and performances are key in this fairly predictable cautionary tale for all of the Deb LeFevres out there.
Rated 25 Jun 2013
abidwella_bidwell
Rated 12 May 2013
89
70th
/out of 20... Casting/Acting: 20 Writing/Story/Plot: 18 Directing: 17 Cinematography/Sound: 17 Originality/Bonus: 17 The talented cast is what really makes it all work. Less talent would have easily allowed this film to crumble into the dangerously cliche.
Rated 12 May 2013
natehill88natehill88
Rated 21 Jan 2013
85
71st
Two stunningly perfect performances to back up this remarkable story of a teacher having sex with one of her students.
Rated 21 Jan 2013
spikycactusSpikyCactus
Rated 15 Jan 2013
85
90th
Top badass moment? Judi Dench's Barbara, a great, unsung, movie bastard-from-hell. So bad she's badass. 1 cat, no chainsaws or decapitations. Portia, a beautiful, long-haired cat, has a small but key role, helping add both to the depth of the plot and an air of pathos that the film was otherwise sadly lacking. Unfortunately, as is often the case, I believe its lines, both meows and purrs, where dubbed. When is the film industry going to end this shameless practice?
Rated 15 Jan 2013
danastevensdanastevens
Rated 30 Nov 2012
50
28th
Notes on a Scandal is a wobbly film that never settles on its tone or, perhaps more precisely, its voice. It can't figure out what kind of movie it wants to be: a high-camp melodrama, a realistic psychological portrait of a troubled female friendship, or a vampire-lesbian horror film.
Rated 30 Nov 2012
judsonladyjudsonlady
Rated 27 Oct 2012
79
93rd
"Notes On A Scandal" is sinfully delicious. It plays out so beautifully with great performances all around that the dark subject matter becomes intriguing and spellbinding. The movie starts out lulling the viewer into the story, then the tension builds and builds all the way through out until the shocking climax. It is a delight for moviegoers who enjoy truly good movies and can stand a little bit of scandal.
Rated 27 Oct 2012
gokcanzgokcanz
Rated 25 Oct 2012
87
96th
* Casting, Acting : 10 * Script : 9 * Directing, Aura : 8 * Ease of Viewing : 8 * Naked Eye : 8.5
Rated 25 Oct 2012
mlightle3mlightle3
Rated 18 Sep 2012
85
70th
Yeah, get it girl.
Rated 18 Sep 2012
quez2goquez2go
Rated 12 Jul 2012
75
59th
A very engaging, if ultimately rather tame look two very troubled, lonely women driven to extremes. On one level Dench's character is extremely creepy because the film leaves much of her unseen and unknown, but also seeing the film through her eyes makes it somewhat limited - how enticing can a movie be when it's told by a cat lady?
Rated 12 Jul 2012
petrostserPetrosTser
Rated 19 Feb 2012
90
97th
"Notes On A Scandal" is an utterly engrossing film. The direction by Richard Eyre is brilliantly engaging, Patrick Marber's adaptation of the Zoe Heller book makes for a very tight, concise result and the acting by Judi Dench and Bill Nighy is top-notch.
Rated 19 Feb 2012
rufamRufam
Rated 05 Feb 2012
70
57th
Short, sly and efficient, this entertaining drama/thriller boosts superlative performances and lots of wasted potential. Dench and Blanchett make for a memorable cinematic pairing, both delivering some of their best acting work ever. The monologues for Dench are well-written but too lazy as a narrative device. I can't help thinking that these fascinating characters could have been utilized in a much more intelligent way, but the classy titillation offered by this is an agreeable substitute.
Rated 05 Feb 2012
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 22 Dec 2011
77
64th
It is great to see such impressive actors working together. Both Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench really excel in this good film. The story is nothing special but the acting sure is great.
Rated 22 Dec 2011
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 28 Oct 2011
25
61st
"If only the movie's early momentum were kept intact." - Jason Clark
Rated 28 Oct 2011
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 26 Jul 2011
84
60th
The ending is a little too optimistic--and formulaic--for the tale, but Blanchett is good and Dench brilliant and thoroughly frightening.
Rated 26 Jul 2011
gullusumgullusum
Rated 08 Apr 2011
65
17th
There is something really slow in this movie, possibly because the script sticks to Blanchett's character for too long and not in enough detail to satisfy, and the powerful Dench gives her weighth later on. Suspenseful but not enough, considering the story itself.
Rated 08 Apr 2011
camcleodCAMcleod
Rated 21 Feb 2011
90
72nd
A relentless. powerful masterpiece in character exploration and scandal on film, Eyre's film, assisted by that ever-present score by Philip Glass and the elegantly twisted Judi Dench, sweeps the audience along a path of torment, cruelty and passion. Marber's script is worthy of particular praise as a skilled screen adaptation.
Rated 21 Feb 2011
glmglm
Rated 01 Jan 2011
84
77th
84.000
Rated 01 Jan 2011
derekstarDerekstar
Rated 02 Nov 2010
80
68th
I'm frightened of Judi Dench now. I liked it when that retard was wearing that wizard hat though.
Rated 02 Nov 2010
waddayanutswaddayanuts
Rated 13 Sep 2010
58
12th
Light entertainment that is quickly forgotten.
Rated 13 Sep 2010
pmanPman
Rated 25 May 2010
75
55th
Top notch acting and a story that's right out og the headlines.
Rated 25 May 2010
awittynameawittyname
Rated 05 Apr 2010
75
26th
It wanted to be so much more than it was, but really, all it was was mediocre. The entire thing felt phoned-in.
Rated 05 Apr 2010
wwallce4prezWWallce4prez
Rated 01 Mar 2010
72
51st
The slow and deliberate pace is expertly done here. That, and Dench's maddening performance stand out in a film that borderlines "plain." Not real sure how Blanchett earned an Oscar nod here; not that she was bad but there wasn't a lot of substance to her character.
Rated 01 Mar 2010
johnnyzombieJohnnyZombie
Rated 23 Nov 2009
86
63rd
A bit too melodramatic at times, but the cast is incredible.
Rated 23 Nov 2009
totoroTotoro.
Rated 08 Sep 2009
80
74th
Terrific performances from Dench and Blanchett and a excellent story. Wonderful score. Everything else? Meh.
Rated 08 Sep 2009
spaceflohspacefloh
Rated 03 Jul 2009
83
97th
ger; [Tagebuch eines Skandals]; eine einzelgängerische lehrerin sucht die freundschaft zur neuen kollegin sheba, die eine affäre mit einem schüler hat - die situation eskaliert.
Rated 03 Jul 2009
parrotparrot_
Rated 02 Jul 2009
78
30th
It tries too hard to be dark and deep, and falls flat on its face
Rated 02 Jul 2009
lostpilotlostpilot
Rated 29 Jun 2009
34
43rd
Engaging, dramatic and thoughtful. You have got to love all the quotes.
Rated 29 Jun 2009
muutanetmuutanet
Rated 09 Jun 2009
75
74th
Very well done, Judi. Interesting actor movie. I liked it a lot. Maybe a little pointy in the end and voice-over a bit disturbing, until I realize that that was the thing. Cate and Bill did their parts good as well, but this is especially Judi Dench movie.
Rated 09 Jun 2009
rthornhillrthornhill
Rated 11 Apr 2009
87
56th
A good film featuring the terrific Cate Blanchett....
Rated 11 Apr 2009
sharpcoolsharpcool
Rated 26 Feb 2009
78
71st
All I know is the young kid actor who fools around with hot Cate is one lucky bastard. Entertaining film but I wish they explored the relationship between Cate and the kid because lets be honest, that was the juicy part.
Rated 26 Feb 2009
slrsoapboxSlrSoapbox
Rated 22 Jan 2009
80
75th
Absolutely excellent performances from Dench and Blanchett, and a really good script that makes the characters both reprehensible and pitiable. However, I couldn't help feeling like I needed to take a long shower and to scrub my skin raw after the movie finished.
Rated 22 Jan 2009
filliganFilligan
Rated 18 Jan 2009
84
55th
At first it's strange and uneven, but once it finds its rhythm you can't turn away. Blanchett is great, but she's outdone by the spectacularly haunting Judi Dench. I enjoyed this one a lot more than I thought I would. Glass's score sets the perfect astmosphere.
Rated 18 Jan 2009
mspraguemsprague
Rated 01 Nov 2008
70
60th
A creepy tale, watching people self-destruct.
Rated 01 Nov 2008
tathieltathiel
Rated 11 Oct 2008
86
88th
Very good acting on the parts of Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench.
Rated 11 Oct 2008
parcalihamparcaliham
Rated 25 Aug 2008
85
77th
#824 - 25 Agustos 08, 19:13 & Acitiyor... Kalbi gercekten acitiyor. Bunun olmasindaki neden belki de Cate Blanchett'in guzelligi ve masumiyeti.
Rated 25 Aug 2008
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 27 Jun 2008
86
96th
Very Nice
Rated 27 Jun 2008
cestmoicestmoi
Rated 18 May 2008
75
48th
Judi Dench was creepily fantastic
Rated 18 May 2008
corcovadocorcovado
Rated 11 May 2008
90
25th
Talented Mr. Ripley-esque. I am totally biased because of many reasons. Dench and Blanchett's performance is the most excellent. The ending could have been better I think.
Rated 11 May 2008
krikriKrikri
Rated 30 Apr 2008
75
61st
different than every other story
Rated 30 Apr 2008
allisoncmallisoncm
Rated 26 Apr 2008
84
91st
Way better than I'd expect.
Rated 26 Apr 2008
alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 24 Mar 2008
3
38th
Judi Dench is touchcel
Rated 24 Mar 2008
gigglestickGigglestick
Rated 07 Mar 2008
50
37th
This. Movie. Was. Wierd. The acting/actors were better than the plot, writing, and directing. Totally expected one thing, and got another...kinda like the 2004 presidential election.
Rated 07 Mar 2008
tidusffxTidusFFX
Rated 06 Feb 2008
88
83rd
Amazing, and I mean AMAZING performances and very tense atmosphere. Great movie!
Rated 06 Feb 2008
jsopanenjsopanen
Rated 04 Feb 2008
58
77th
Unflinchingly honest examination of troubled relationships in a form of a thriller. Unconventional issues in traditional packaging.
Rated 04 Feb 2008
johannaJohanna
Rated 03 Feb 2008
70
31st
The characters are complicated enough to make an interesting film
Rated 03 Feb 2008
mjvmoviemanMJVmovieMan
Rated 31 Jan 2008
83
84th
Superior acting propels this thriller.
Rated 31 Jan 2008
kasperlKasperL
Rated 15 Jan 2008
80
86th
Brilliantly acted psychological thriller.
Rated 15 Jan 2008
meerkatmeerkat
Rated 17 Nov 2007
95
90th
Terrifying in its reality. Beautifully acted.
Rated 17 Nov 2007
stepsidewaysstepsideways
Rated 13 Nov 2007
79
24th
A perceptive battle-axe (Judi Dench) slowly emerges as an emotional toddler, engaging in the tawdriest blackmail just to rope in the skinny waif with short-eyes (Cate Blanchett). She's a sick twist all right, but I dig her acid cynicism for the first hour.
Rated 13 Nov 2007
samanthadextsamanthadext
Rated 21 Oct 2007
50
9th
I found this movie to be very confusing. It hinted all around the subject of homosexuality but never really said. I left the theater thinking "What the f..."
Rated 21 Oct 2007
guddibiguddibi
Rated 21 Oct 2007
60
26th
hot cliched thing
Rated 21 Oct 2007
nandorizzinandorizzi
Rated 08 Oct 2007
90
94th
Intriguing plot. Movie very well done. Cate and Judi living the beauty and arrogance. A movie like few, boldly dangerously charming and lovely from start to finish.
Rated 08 Oct 2007
drewlephantDrewlephant
Rated 24 Aug 2007
75
57th
Alternates between intelligent and trashy. This is a surprisingly colorless role for Cate Blanchett, but Judi Dench is a marvel. Entertaining, but not worthy of its Oscar nods.
Rated 24 Aug 2007
davidkahaneDavidKahane
Rated 16 Aug 2007
45
26th
An acclaimed book, a renowned playwright adapting, Academy Award-winning actresses in the two key roles, and a resulting movie that's mediocre at best. The story is reliant on the inconsistencies of characters to keep things moving. Dench and Blanchett have nice enough moments in individual scenes, but their work rarely coheres in a satisfying way. The dreadful final scene, which may as well have been lifted directly from some woebegone early 1990s crap thriller, cements it as a wasted effort.
Rated 16 Aug 2007
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 23 Jul 2007
74
40th
Interesting movie but the plot gets way out of hand and is nowhere near good enough for the acting that supports it. Dench and Blanchett are very good, as is much of the supporting acting and the build up is pretty good, but the heart of the scandal isn't really well executed and feels rather out of place.
Rated 23 Jul 2007
battletoadBattleToad
Rated 05 Jun 2007
79
57th
The fairly weak ending and lack of closure are offset by the outstanding acting jobs of the entire cast. Pretty good!
Rated 05 Jun 2007
adrianavbadrianavb
Rated 19 Apr 2007
76
84th
I enjoyed this movie a lot, the dialogues and the rithym is great.
Rated 19 Apr 2007
cclzaCCLZA
Rated 19 Mar 2007
80
77th
The tour-de-force performances by Blanchett and Dench and the greatly crafted screenplay make this a very highly enjoyable experience.
Rated 19 Mar 2007
nouillesNouilles
Rated 04 Mar 2007
88
80th
I don't know how much of the humor was intentional, but I thought the movie was very funny. If you don't like sarcasm and mockery, stay away.
Rated 04 Mar 2007

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