Review of Notes on a Scandal

Besides the good story, a star-shining cast of two world-applauded actresses adds much juicy flavour. Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench, how can they fail us, right? The story bluntly tells the excruciating pain of being a lonely and aging person, looking for a life partner by hook or by crook, fearing loneliness in prospective older days. True, Covett's lesbian-yearning is subtly and decently depicted in clandestine fashion: very friendly approach to Hart's family, a help in time of need like concealing the indecent act between Hart and a minor. Yet, her scorn to Hart's husband, her joy when Hart lives with her though short (the star stickers and the lock of hair secretively cut out), her destructive and stupid revelation of Hart's sexual crime… all this explicitly pronounce her homosexual affinity towards Hart. Demure senior teacher Covett cannot expose her desire so openly, maybe due to her age, her reputation in the school, her profession… and so, the unanswered craving is translated into hunting and imaginary notes in her diary. That's the plight of homosexuals in the game of searching for partners when time prints wrinkles on this face.

There should be faithful gay couples but most old ones find it hard to keep the relationship long. No wonder why there are so many senior gays pay for the easy service of the young chaps. It's hard for old people to look for life partner, it's even harder for homosexuals. The hardest goes to the lesbians. In the arena of homosexuality, gays still have the upper hand in many ways than lesbians.

By the way, one of the many reasons why I like UK films is the lines, the wit between the words, not only eye-catching but also ear-snatching, and abundant here.