Notes on a Scandal
Last night saw Notes on a Scandal. Scary in ways you don’t normally think of as scary. You know, relationship scary.
The plot was compelling, the writing good, but it was the acting that makes that movie. Cate Blanchett and Dame Judi Dench–what a killer combo. Isn’t it such a pleasure to see anyone at the top of their game, whether it’s in sports or acting or painting or any other form of art?
You almost can’t believe that’s Dame Judi behind that face, because we’re so used to her looking all sleek and put together as M in the James Bond movies. But here she’s dowdy and clunky and manipulative and sad. But mostly manipulative. But okay, sad. You get why she is who she is, but please oh please, may none of us ever let ourselves be that far gone.
I saw some great acting in the movies at Sundance, but boy, there were some clunkers. Some real wince-as-you-watch-thems. But seeing Cate and Dame Judi go at it proves once again that there are actors out there who get that it takes effort and passion to transport people from their real lives into the two hour make-believe on the screen. Think I was worried about the Super Bowl during any of that time? All I cared about was whether and when the whole tangled mess those two women had wrought was going to start blowing up in everyone’s faces.
And when it did . . . so satisfying.
Technorati Tags: Notes on a Scandal, Dame Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett
February 5th, 2007 at 7:57 am
I enjoyed her (DJD) performance in Chocolat. It is one of my favorite books, and she made all the unnecessary changes from page to screen bearable.
February 5th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
The mauve navy and orange giant stopped in front of a Circuit City TV display, dropping the disheveled, yet still comfortable Fleece Girl.
“…if you like 6′5″, two hundred sixty five pound quarterbacks…”
The Incredible Herb seethed with fury.
“Herb SMASH teenie commercial man!” bellowed Herb, and smashed through the wall.
Fleece Girl jumped to her feet and took the only action she knew would help.
“Herb, I have a Spiced Chai! Spiced Chai, Herb”
The Incredible Herb stopped. He turned toward Fleece Girl, the mauve navy and orange color starting to drain, and his muscles visibly shrank.
“…with Rocket Laser arm,” intoned a TV.
“They aren’t saying boo, they’re saying MOOOOO-vers,” said another. “MOOOO-vers”
“Rub some dirt in it, Johnny. Is this decaf?” said a third.
“YEEEEEAAAAAARRRGGGHHHHHH,” SCREAMED HERB.
February 5th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
Patrick, thanks for helping me out on a slow blog news day.
Heather, you already know I want to be Meryl Streep in River Wild, but some time in my mid-sixties I want to become Dame Judi Dench as M. I need the poise, the hair, the don’t-mess-with-me attitude.
Which Dame Judi do you aspire to be?
February 5th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Editor’s Note: the ‘mauve’ is supposed to have a strike through, but apparently that isn’t an allowed tag in a comment
February 5th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
robin, i can’t believe that after sundance you don’t have to detox for awhile. but no, fleece girl is right there, on the job, plunkin’ down her eight bucks, grabbin’ a big bucket of the ethanol-pre, slathered in butter, with a jumbo diet coke, willing herself through two hrs. of semi-art flickdom.
is it any wonder that you’re my hero?
i never want to be dame judy, never. i want to be flojo (or pipi).
February 5th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
Got to see that movie for sure. I thought the Superbowl was pretty good. I don’t usually care much for Prince, but liked him in the half-show. Didn’t care much for Billy Joel’s rendition of SSB. You’re right, it is a slow blog day…but I’m looking forward to tomorrow-I’ve 49 pages left of TTW left to go
February 5th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
From Dami Judi’s IMDB bio:
“Even after winning so many acting awards, she still admits to be insecure and wanting to improve the next performance.”
I would say that is how I want to be. Humbly trying to be my best. (The awards would be nice, too.)
February 5th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
Patrick, that’s because I’ve instructed the blog program not to take direction from you. It’s a power thing.
Annette, this is the first I’ve heard that you want to be Flojo. Of course we all know about Pippi. I think you just admire women with cool names.
Deborah, read on! Yay! See you tomorrow!
And Heather, excellent plan. I’m with you on that all the way.
February 5th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
yeah, like it’s coincidental that they have cool names–can you say serena?
deborah, the superbowl?! you gotta do a lot of diggin’ out of that s***hole to regain my respect. are there men (and women, deborah) out there brave enough to fess up that they don’t give a flyin’ you-know-what about FOOTBALL!!!! i have been held hostage long enough–why can’t you go to court to get an exparte (look it up patrick) order about that-huh? okay, i’m done.
February 5th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
What?!??! You think I’m dumb?
Of course I know that means blocking people from parting their hair on the right.
Trust me, I know my legal terms.
February 5th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
in response to the question–yeah.
February 6th, 2007 at 6:24 am
It is amazing how Due Process and the 5th and 14th amendments limit the legal actions one can take on their spouse…
For some reason, in the US, we allow the football watching men defend themselves in court with such testimony as
“All I said was, while you’re in the kitchen could you get me a beer.”
and
“That’s a lovely blue velour robe, but the game is on and Rex Grossman is falling apart at the seams.”
February 6th, 2007 at 9:58 am
Oh the pain. Bad Rex bad. Chicago frigid lost in frozen tears. Hey, what hurts you makes you strong! As the Chicago sports cheer goes “Wait until next year”
…Incredible Herb laid on the ground, all color drained from his body.
Fleece Girl totally perplexed why a pig skin could cause Herb to turn white.
He gurgles “next year”.
Mary Jane, Herb’s side kick, picks up a horseshoe, throwing all the way to Indiana.
Herb sighs…
Patrick forgive me.
February 6th, 2007 at 11:32 pm
I like that I can irradiate someone and turn them into a navy and orange monster and they ask me for forgiveness still.
February 7th, 2007 at 11:27 am
Patrick, Your work at Guantanamo Bay finally pays off.