Directed by:
Richard EyreScreenplay:
Patrick MarberCinematography:
Chris MengesComposer:
Philip GlassCast:
Cate Blanchett, Judi Dench, Tom Georgeson, Alice Bird, Bill Nighy, Joanna Scanlan, Andrew Simpson, Juno Temple, Stephen Kennedy, Anne-Marie Duff, Phil Davis (more)VOD (3)
Plots(1)
One as a woman consumed by her colleague's guilty secret, the other, a victim to her own dark obsessions - in this intelligent and stylish thriller. Dench mesmerises as Barbara Covett, a teacher who rules over her classroom with an iron fist, yet leads a desperate, solitary life outside it. That is, until shemeets radiant new art teacher Sheba Hart (Blanchett). Although at first overjoyed with her newfound kindred spirit, when Barbara discovers that Sheba is having an affair with a student, her jealousy and rage spiral out of control. (20th Century Fox UK)
(more)Reviews (4)
Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench. Isn’t that enough? An above-par script. You want more? Sure-handed direction. Still not enough? So here's Glass's traditionally perfect souondtrack. If the aforementioned pros are not enough to give you a highly above average viewing experience, then I really don't know what more you want…
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Beautiful Cate Blanchett and superstar actress Judi Dench in one movie. And as Cate is truly beautiful, it was extremely gripping to watch her character. I know it is an acting duet of two major actresses, but Cate dominated the scene so much that I felt sorry for her character at the end of the film. Very sorry. Cate actually dominated the whole film. So, if you didn’t know why I enjoyed this film so much, it was because of Cate. Need I say more?
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Wow. How can things not go downhill for the British monarchy when their education system relies on teachers like homosexual schemers and irresponsible pedophiles? The director manipulates the audience and casts Cate Blanchett as the victim. But you don't need to sympathize with her. Especially when Judi Dench puts effort into portraying her character as a malevolent monster. But on a human level, I understand more the older of the two women who has no support, who can't cope with loneliness and fear of helplessness, and who ultimately could, if she truly were an immoral pig, come up with far more direct blackmail than Cate Blanchett's character, who lost herself somewhere in puberty. I have no problem with the believability of story details because years ago I witnessed practically the same case when a high school teacher got together with a young student, and only because he was over 15, unlike her movie colleague, she avoided prosecution. However, she had plenty of shame to deal with and her marriage took a hard hit. Overall impression: 75%.
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An exemplary build-up, a depressing atmosphere of despair and unsurprisingly superb performances. Cate Blanchett's performance is exemplary again, in the style of Blue Jasmine, and Judy Dench is also amazing as the bitter, old and psychopathic crone. High School Misery.
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