Notes on a Scandal (2006)

7.4R91 minDirector: Richard Eyre

2006 film by Richard Eyre

Notes on a Scandal is a 2006 British psychological drama thriller directed by Richard Eyre and produced by Robert Fox and Scott Rudin. Adapted from the 2003 novel by Zoë Heller, the screenplay was written by Patrick Marber. The film stars Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, and Bill Nighy, and centres on a lonely veteran teacher who uncovers a fellow teacher's illicit affair with an underage student.

Notes on a Scandal had its limited theatrical release on 25 December 2006, then went into a wide release on 26 January 2007. The film received positive reviews from critics, with Dench and Blanchett's performances receiving widespread critical acclaim and Marber's screenplay being particularly lauded. The film also emerged as a major commercial success at the box-office, grossing $50.6 million worldwide.

Notes on a Scandal earned Dench and Blanchett nominations for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress respectively at various ceremonies including the Academy Awards (Oscars), the Critics' Choice Awards, the Golden Globe Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards; and a BAFTA Award nomination (for Dench alone). Marber's adapted screenplay also received nominations from the BAFTAs, Golden Globes, and Oscars—the latter of whom additionally nominated Philip Glass's score.

Plot summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

FAQ

What is Notes on a Scandal about?
Notes on a Scandal (2006) — Bitter, cynical, and lonely Barbara Covett (Dame Judi Dench) is a tough and conservative teacher, near to retirement, who is loathed by her colleagues and students. In the loneliness of her apartment, she spends her spare time writing in her journal, taking care of her old cat Po
Is Notes on a Scandal based on a true story?
See the production background and source material details on the official Wikipedia article.
Is Notes on a Scandal scary?
Content rating: R. See the reviews tab for parental guidance and tone notes.