NOTES ON A SCANDAL

Amy Steppe

Cathlete
I got that DVD from Netflix and it creeped me out!

Then I bought the book (I usually only read light chick lit) and it also creeped me out.

For some reason that Sheba woman reminds me of Mary Kay Letourneau --pretty unhappily married art teacher, younger student, etc.

I wonder if the book's author did not use Mary Kay Letourneau as the basis for the Sheba Hart character.

At any rate, that DVD is good and has great acting, but it still creeped me out and left me sort of depressed.

Then I stupidly read the book and it's even more depressing.

The older teacher writing the book reminds me of an ex "best" girlfriend I had, so perhaps that is part of what creeps me out as well as why any mature woman would want to have sex with a 15 year old kid.
 
I totally agree. I read the book before the movie came out and really hated it. So I never went to the movie. I am glad I did not. I don't think it's based on Mary Kay Letourneau though, because it seems much more focused on the older woman's desire to possess the younger woman. Creepy! Probably some underlying anti-lesbian stuff going on in the older woman's characterization.
 
It's an excellent film, brilliantly acted by Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett, one of the most intelligent films out this year in fact. Not all human behaviour is roses and perfume and this film is a detailed study of the desperation that results from incredible loneliness. Cate Blanchett, in the extra-features interview, has an interesting take on the film. I am grateful this film was produced. I get heartily sick and tired of the enormous but empty blockbuster and the other crap currently filling all the movie theaters in this town and most others like it. Creepy, yes, but ever-so-watchable, just like a train wreck.

Clare
 
Funny you should say that, Clare.

I thought to myself, "This film has some great acting and is definitely not fun to watch, but it is like a train wreck."

I watched all the extras too.

I agree the film and the book are very watchable, but very, very disturbing. I think "Notes on a Scandal" appeals to the voyeur in us all.

But it still creeps me out -- Barbara Covington was almost certainly lesbian, which is not big deal to me. The part that bothered me was the stalker part of her bitter personality.

The book is more creepy than the film.

It was like reading a car wreck too. I admit I did not want to put it down, but reading it certainly took a lot of energy to read.

Neither the book nor not lightweights at all.

Jud Densh and Cate Blanchett both should have worn Academy Awards for their role in the film, as should the screenwriter.
 
It's funny that you though there was some underlying anti-lesbian stuff going on in the older woman's characterization, as I felt the opposite. I thought she had some overt lesbian tendencies.

I loved the film.
 

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