ROTJ: NOTES ON A SCANDAL & THE JAMES' FILM CREW MEETING #3
Richard Eyre's Notes On A Scandal was being advertised as a Hitchcock
ian suspense-driven thriller, so when I made plans to attend a screening as a Film Crew meeting, I was prepared for some stern stuff. It also boasted two grand dammes of cinema: Judi Dench (M in the new James Bond flicks, Shakespeare in Love, Mrs. Brown) and Cate Blanchett (Galadriel in LOTR, Elizabeth, Talented Mr. Ripley). Both fantastic actresses, both former Oscar winners, and both currently nominated for Oscars in Notes. Therefore, my expectations were quite high. This usually represents danger for me...but luckily the film rose to the occasion. The plot revolves around Dench's character, Barbara, and her obsession with a new teacher at their English public school: Sheba, played by Blanchett. What follows is an escalation of obsession, but not one that rings the same predictable bells as all of the film's predecessors. I'd have to compare the plot to Cable Guy (sorry), but the tone to more of One Hour Photo. Avoiding all cliches, especially things that would have altered the tone of the film...or taken it away from its realism and into fantasy...the film conveys a creepy, dread-filled menacing tone which is delivered by Dench's character who is also the narrator of the film. The 
audience silently watches in dread as things get out of hand, and is prepared to be shocked...unfortunately Hollywood has preconditioned us to just await "when things get out of hand and somebody grabs a hatchet"...but thankfully this film remains more restrained...and hence, believable. No, Notes is not a flick that deters from its original premise...the journey of the audience into the twisted world of Dench's bizarre character, and the ultimate revelations within the film force one examine their own natures, as they learn the consequences of isolation and trust. I'm giving this flick a 4 out of 5, since 5's are reserved for the truly special...films that could be consciousness-altering, groundbreaking, or just the coolest things I ever saw. What was definitely 5 out of 5 was the incomparable performance of Judi Dench as a completely believable monstrosity of a human being dedicated to finding a person (willing or unwilling) to join her in her tra
p of isolation. Likewise Blanchett gives of herself completely to the film, bringing pathos and understanding to a character that in anyone else's hands might have seemed like a sensationalist stereotype ripped from recent headlines. While I think Helen Mirren and Jennifer Hudson will win the Oscars for various reasons, these ladies give truly Oscar-worthy performances. As far as the Film Crew meeting...let's say that 4 guys meeting to watch a film about 2 women was IRONIC to say the least. However, Williams, Lazenby, Tommy Grotti, and I watched it with due sensitivity and appreciation...except where Judi Dench described how in school she and her female compatriots used to "stroke each other." What followed was adolescent, puerille, and I'm embarrassed to admit to being complicit in our idiotic reactions...we giggled. I blame my company, but regardless...we had a great time, saw a worthy film, and then followed with lunch and a lengthy discussion on its merits. Next week's selection looks like Eastwood's Letters from Iwo Jima...so make plans to attend.
Richard Eyre's Notes On A Scandal was being advertised as a Hitchcock
ian suspense-driven thriller, so when I made plans to attend a screening as a Film Crew meeting, I was prepared for some stern stuff. It also boasted two grand dammes of cinema: Judi Dench (M in the new James Bond flicks, Shakespeare in Love, Mrs. Brown) and Cate Blanchett (Galadriel in LOTR, Elizabeth, Talented Mr. Ripley). Both fantastic actresses, both former Oscar winners, and both currently nominated for Oscars in Notes. Therefore, my expectations were quite high. This usually represents danger for me...but luckily the film rose to the occasion. The plot revolves around Dench's character, Barbara, and her obsession with a new teacher at their English public school: Sheba, played by Blanchett. What follows is an escalation of obsession, but not one that rings the same predictable bells as all of the film's predecessors. I'd have to compare the plot to Cable Guy (sorry), but the tone to more of One Hour Photo. Avoiding all cliches, especially things that would have altered the tone of the film...or taken it away from its realism and into fantasy...the film conveys a creepy, dread-filled menacing tone which is delivered by Dench's character who is also the narrator of the film. The 
audience silently watches in dread as things get out of hand, and is prepared to be shocked...unfortunately Hollywood has preconditioned us to just await "when things get out of hand and somebody grabs a hatchet"...but thankfully this film remains more restrained...and hence, believable. No, Notes is not a flick that deters from its original premise...the journey of the audience into the twisted world of Dench's bizarre character, and the ultimate revelations within the film force one examine their own natures, as they learn the consequences of isolation and trust. I'm giving this flick a 4 out of 5, since 5's are reserved for the truly special...films that could be consciousness-altering, groundbreaking, or just the coolest things I ever saw. What was definitely 5 out of 5 was the incomparable performance of Judi Dench as a completely believable monstrosity of a human being dedicated to finding a person (willing or unwilling) to join her in her tra
p of isolation. Likewise Blanchett gives of herself completely to the film, bringing pathos and understanding to a character that in anyone else's hands might have seemed like a sensationalist stereotype ripped from recent headlines. While I think Helen Mirren and Jennifer Hudson will win the Oscars for various reasons, these ladies give truly Oscar-worthy performances. As far as the Film Crew meeting...let's say that 4 guys meeting to watch a film about 2 women was IRONIC to say the least. However, Williams, Lazenby, Tommy Grotti, and I watched it with due sensitivity and appreciation...except where Judi Dench described how in school she and her female compatriots used to "stroke each other." What followed was adolescent, puerille, and I'm embarrassed to admit to being complicit in our idiotic reactions...we giggled. I blame my company, but regardless...we had a great time, saw a worthy film, and then followed with lunch and a lengthy discussion on its merits. Next week's selection looks like Eastwood's Letters from Iwo Jima...so make plans to attend.
posted by The James at 6:32 AM
1 Comments:
If only Beatty could have made it to giggle along with you and your three male friends. Who knows, maybe he would have made a choice?!?
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