Notes on a Scandal (film)

Notes on a Scandal
Promotional movie poster
Directed by	Richard Eyre
Produced by	Robert Fox Scott Rudin
Screenplay by	Patrick Marber
Based on	Notes on a Scandal by Zoë Heller
Starring	Judi Dench Cate Blanchett Bill Nighy
Music by	Philip Glass
Cinematography	Chris Menges
Edited by	John Bloom Antonia Van Drimmelen
Distributed by	Fox Searchlight Pictures
Release date	25 December 2006 (2006-12-25)
Running time	91 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Budget	$15 million
Box office	$49.8 million

Notes on a Scandal is a 2006 British psychological thriller-drama film, adapted from the 2003 novel of the same name by Zoë Heller. The screenplay was written by Patrick Marber and the film was directed by Richard Eyre and starred Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett. The soundtrack was composed by Philip Glass.

It was nominated for four Academy Awards – Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Score.

Barbara Covett (Judi Dench) is a history teacher at a comprehensive school in London. A spinster nearing retirement, her comfort is her diary. When a new art teacher, Sheba Hart (Cate Blanchett), joins the staff, Barbara is immediately attracted to her. Sheba is married to the much older Richard (Bill Nighy), and is just entering the work force after devoting herself to a special needs son.

When Barbara discovers that Sheba is having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student, Steven Connolly (Andrew Simpson), she confronts her. Sheba asks her not to tell the school administration until after Christmas as she wants to be with her family, Barbara claims she has no intention of informing, providing Sheba ends the relationship immediately. Sheba eventually tells Steven that the affair is over. However, when she refuses to give in to Barbara's demands on her time, Barbara reveals the secret to a male teacher who tells her that he is attracted to Sheba and asks her to act as an intermediary.