Retro Reviewing: "Notes on a Scandal"

This is a dark movie but no one can deny that the acting is superb. Rina is right about the whole aspect of age difference in other countries, being from latin america I have to say that here we see nothing wrong when you see a 25 year old guy dating a 16 year old girl. Actually you see it all the time. I remember my sister was 17 and her boyfriend was like 25 and studied in the us and when she went to visit him people reacted quite strongly to them being together.

This is a fantastic movie, and again I agree that the acting was superb by everyone involved. Judi Dench was amazing in it, and I found her performance quite eerie and disturbing. Barbara was definately gay, and although she knew it, she just couldn't accept it as anything other than a dirty little secret. I think this could have stemmed from the fact that she was of an older generation, and also a teacher, therefore had she been open about her sexuality in her younger days, her career may well have been threatened by it. This leads on quite well to The Children's Hour, which examines what happens to a teachers career if they are thought to be gay. Funnily enough, with it being set in the 60's, the timing probably would have been relevant for Barbara as a young teacher.

By the way, I just wanted to add how much I am looking forward to the next review. I love The Children's Hour, if that is infact the correct term for it considering the story, but to have two A list stars like Audrey Hepburn and Shirley Maclaine in one of the first mainstream movies to tackle homosexuality.. Amazing. Of course its not the flowers and happy endings we get alot of these days, but it was and still is poignant and very moving.

"Some enjoyed the movie, some found it disturbing, and some just wanted to bring the old lady to their local gay bar."

Hahaha! Seriously.

Dame Judi Dench is my hero! She is amazing, everything part she plays is top quality. Did you see how creepy she was?! I couldn't watch the arm touching groping scene. I do agree that i felt sorry for Barbara, i can't decide whether she had no idea she was gay (well i thought she was ) or that she was sooo in denial because of her old fashioned conservative ways.  Girl, i wanna take you to a Gay Bar!

I also like the sweet old lady in the nursing home that asked her about the other woman she loved stalked. She knew Babs was gay haha

I thought that it was interesting that Kevin was portrayed as the one who had control. Hmmm where have we seen that before..... : )

Have to say though not a film i usually watch or enjoy but i did because of the stella cast. 

Good review gals and i thought the reenactments were really funny.

xoxo 

I saw this movie on an airplane. I found it entirely creepy.

How can anyone think barbara wasn't gay? Seriously???

-Ange

http://www.spinner.com/category/laugh-rage-cry/ Tegan and Sara on Prop 8.

I agree with the fact that this is a movie that I could not watch again. It was very well acted, but it was too dark and depressing. Personally, I prefer movies that make me feel better after watching them. That doesn't make it a bad movie though.

The Children's Hour would have been an even more amazing film if KATHERINE Hepburn was in it, especially given all the gay rumours that surrounded her during her career and even now. According to some, her long relationship with Spencer Tracy was a cover for both of them, and they were both well known in Hollywood to be gay..?? She always did give off a vibe to me, and I wouldn't be a bit surprised.

I agree, great photos at the end, Danielle. Thanks for taking the time out of your cruise (very jealous!) to rate the film, you are a committed Retro Reviewer!

I really enjoyed this review, I found all of you were very entertaining-- especially Rina with her PSA. I'm afraid I haven't seen this film and have not been interested in watching, until now that is! I will def watch The Children's Hour in time for the next review; it will be my first time, too. When you guys mistakenly said Katherine Hepburn was in the film I got SUPER EXCITED. Oh well...at least Shirley Maclain will be in it(she's so pretty). Thanks Retro Reviewers and keep up the awesome re-enactments!!

I love this movie! Only the Brits, can build tension that well in the gaps and akwardness around the dialogue. The scriptwriting and acting were great.  I can't agree with Barbara being an example of lonliness in the 'elderly'. She's not waiting for Meals on Wheels huddled over a single-bar, electric heater because her arthritis stops her going out! She's an intelligent, mobile woman who is able to control a classroom of teenagers with a glance and, if only through work, has to engage with the world on a daily basis.

The isolation and lonliness isn't due to her late middle-age, but, is self-imposed.  I have a feeling Barbara at 25 would have exhibited the same need to suffocate and control. She may have perfected her manipulation in later years, but, she was never a free spirit. There's a very clear message in the movie that this is a pattern for Barbara; her previous 'friend' and the last scene when she starts the whole thing over again with the woman on the park bench. There is a sadness about Barbara. It's that she is never going to change and, therefore, will always be inappropriate. That's one lady I wouldn't take to a gay bar. Sigh! Hats off, yet again, to Dame Judi! 

You're totally right. It's possible that it was not an "age" thing for Barbara.  Maybe she's always been like that.  It's true that someone who is like that at that age has probably always been like that.  It's true if she was younger I would probably see her as more creepy and I would probably feel less sad for her.  Still for me the scene that really got to me was when she was in the bathtub and she was thinking about what it's like to be touched.  She mentioned that at her age its been forever since she's felt the touch of another person, so that even the slightest touch gets her aroused.  For me that scene really brought up the age thing as a factor in her lonliness. Great comment! Thanks for watching!

I can't wait for you guys to review The Children's Hour, it's one of my favourite movies! Whenever I feel in the mood for a good cry, I put it on, spend the whole film shouting out silly comments and then bawl my head off at the end.

The funny thing is that every girl I've shown it to was originally interested in seeing Audrey Hepburn, but after twenty minutes they'd all say, "... Dude, Martha's hot." To which I say, "Join our club, we have jackets." Those dykey glasses... that easy-to-manage hair... that sarcasm... *swoon*

That pretty much sums up the movie.  It is a very creepy and disturbing movie and hard to sit through with your eyes open in some parts.  Its the kind of movie that you come out of having all these thoughts about aging and how our elders are treated in society. The movie is great though with great production values and great acting.  Especially by Judi Dench who've I never seen in a role like this before in her career.

 Some other movies you might want to think about doing.

Love my life, spider Lilies- Both great foreign Asian films.

High Art- Its the most depressing movie ever but it rocks.

Imagine me and you- A happier gay movie.

Foxfire- Awesome revenge flick.

Stick it and bring it on- Okay I know both straight movies but it has enough lesbian subtext to cut a knife with and ummm....girls in skimpy outfits which is always a plus in my book. 

FYI:   The Children's Hour is playing this Friday 16 Dec '09 on Turner Classic Movies at 8pm -- and, as usual, it's at 7pm CST for those of us from the fly-over states ;)

This is my 1st time  commenting so you have to bare with me as i could go on and on about this film, that been said i`m torn between what rina said about the older generation feelin isolated etc (i hope to god that doesn`t happen to me when i get older) and what katie said about it but i do love the movie and the actresses play thier parts so well could of done without the statutory rape story but i guess it was part of the movie and i told you i could go on on but i`m going to stop by giving it 4 gay magics i do have question though did the movie get nomanited for any award(s). Katie don`t feel ashamed of  liking/loving bring it on i have them on dvd  i should be ashamed

hugefan134

I'd love it if youcould review "v for vendetta" sometime. it's one of my favorite movies. it has a lesbian plotline, it was done by the same guys who made "bound" and if that hasn't convinced you already: it stars Natalie Portman, you guys, Natalie Portman!!! (*sigh*, if only i had a lock of her hair... XD) so pleeeease review this, so i have an excuse to watch it again^^

ich bin nicht die signatur, ich putz' hier nur...

Thanks Katie for letting me know, it is such ashame it didn`t win any cause i reall liked the movie but i guess it wasn`t everyones cup of tea so to speak  lol

hugefan134

my intense love for all things bill nighy could make me watch this movie. but that's one of the many things i love about retro reviewing: it's always fun to watch even if i wouldn't go anywhere near the actual film.

i second the requests for 'being john malkovitch', 'imagine me and you' and 'v for vendetta' and would like to add (just for starters):

- 'boys don't cry'

- 'chutney popcorn'

- 'the color purple'

- 'the itty bitty titty committee'

- 'julie johnson'

- 'nina's heavenly delights'

- 'show me love' and

- 'the times of harvey milk' (a documentary and not really a lesbian movie per se, but it did win an oscar and it would be good timing with 'milk' out and gunning for a couple of those little golden men, too)

very much looking forward to you guys reviewing 'the children's hour'!

Oh my gosh I'm sooo glad you mentioned Nina's Heavenly Delights. It's such a great film.  It'll be a great film to do especially after we review Fire. Thanks for all the great suggestions!

Rina