Notes on a Scandal

MPAA Rating:

for language and some aberrant sexual content

Review coming from Contributor: Dawn Marie Polito

Moral Rating:

_____

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Moviemaking Quality:

Primary Audience:

Adults

Genre:

Drama, Thriller, Adaptation

Length:

2 hr. 1 min.

Year of Release:

2006

USA Release:

December 27, 2006

Relevant Issues

What does the Bible say about adultery? Answer

What’s wrong with being gay? Answer
Homosexual behavior versus the Bible: Are people born gay? Does homosexuality harm anyone? Is it anyone’s business? Are homosexual and heterosexual relationships equally valid?

What about gays needs to change? Answer
It may not be what you think.

How can I deal with temptations? Answer

What are the consequences of sexual immorality? Answer

Learn how to make your love the best it can be. Christian answers to questions about sex, marriage, sexual addictions, and more. Valuable resources for Christian couples, singles and pastors.

Featuring:	Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, Bill Nighy, Alice Bird, Andrew Simpson
Director:	Richard Eyre
Producer:	Redmond Morris, Scott Rudin, Robert Fox
Distributor:	Fox Searchlight

Nominated for best “Adapted screenplay” AND actress Judi Dench nominated for an Academy award for best “Performance by an actress in a leading role”

“One woman’s mistake is another’s opportunity.”

Producer’s Synopsis: “When Sheba Hart (Cate Blanchett) joins St. George’s as the new art teacher, Barbara Covett (Judi Dench) senses a kindred spirit. But Barbara is not the only one drawn to her. Sheba begins an illicit affair and Barbara becomes the keeper of her secret. NOTES ON A SCANDAL is a story of loneliness, loyalty, envy and love.”

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See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.

Neutral'One woman’s mistake is another’s opportunity.' That line alone pretty much says it all. “Notes on a Scandal” is not a movie for everyone. As a matter of fact, it’s not a movie for most. But in my opinion, it really showed the world as it is. There is no sugarcoating; it’s all raw truth. What really made me want to watch the movie was its interesting title. Knowing nothing about it, I started watching. Now obviously, if you know the rating, it is rated R partly because of aberrant sexual content. A female teacher in her thirties has a sexual relationship with a sixteen year old boy. This part of the plot definitely raised a lot of questions in my mind and I started wondering whether it really is always the teachers fault? The boy persued her quite a lot. Another aspect to the movie’s plot line is the fact that over this period of time when this female teacher is having an affair with this boy, she also befriends another teacher at the school. This teacher is an elderly woman, who though at first seems innocent, later uses blackmail and other devices to try to start a relationship with this woman. These two facts (a. having a relationship with a student and b. and elderly woman feeling sexually attracted to another woman and later trying to blackmail her in order to start a relationship) are both rather sick things, and bothered me as a viewer. I wouldn’t watch this movie again, but I would say that it does open your eyes and show you that things aren’t always as they seem.
My Ratings: Very Offensive / 4
—Dorothy, age 18

Negative—As a christian I must say this movie made me feel filthy… It is about an older woman who is attracted to another woman… the older woman finds out this woman is having an affair with a 15 year old boy, and uses it against this woman to have a relationship with her… This movie is not for the Christian eyes… My family and I did not make it through half of the movie…
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 1
—Renee, age 34