Notes on a Scandal

Lust, jealousy, and revenge come cloaked in the guise of friendship in this psychological drama. Barbara Covett (Judi Dench) is a history teacher at a high school in London; while elderly Barbara is very bright, she's also severe and domineering, with a strong personality that tends to put people ...more

Oscar nominations figured to fly with the pairing of the two leads in Notes on a Scandal -- Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett, widely considered among the finest thespians of their respective generations. And sure enough, both were nominated for this frequently uncomfortable tête-à-tête, which could have been hyped as a boxing match between acting heavyweights. But the votes from their peers were no mere knee-jerk reactions to seeing their names -- each does remarkably subtle work here. While ...more