Notes on a Scandal (2006)
Barbara Covett is a history teacher at a comprehensive school in London. Having never married and nearing retirement, she has contempt for her students and fellow teachers. Her only comfort is her diary. When a new art teacher, Sheba Hart, joins the staff, Barbara is immediately attracted to her. Sheba is married to the much older Richard, and is just re-entering the work force after devoting herself to her special needs son. Barbara later witnesses Sheba in a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old student named Steven Connolly at the school. When Barbara confronts her, she recounts all the details of her involvement with the boy, but 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 reporting her, providing Sheba ends the illicit relationship immediately, but Barbara secretly plans to use the affair as a means of manipulating Sheba.
Sheba tells Steven that the affair is over yet finds herself unable to stop seeing him. However, when she refuses to give in to Barbara’s demands on her time, Barbara reveals the secret to a male teacher who has told her that he is attracted to Sheba. After the affair becomes public, the head teacher accuses Barbara of knowing about the affair and not notifying the authorities. He also learns that a former teacher at the school had taken out a restraining order against Barbara for stalking her and her fiancé. Both Sheba and Barbara are fired.
Date of download: 2015-11-11T17:22:34+00:00
Cast:  Judi DenchBarbara Covett  Cate BlanchettSheba Hart  Bill NighyRichard Hart  Andrew SimpsonSteven Connolly |
Barbara Covett is a history teacher at a comprehensive school in London. Having never married and nearing retirement, she has contempt for her students and fellow teachers. Her only comfort is her diary. When a new art teacher, Sheba Hart, joins the staff, Barbara is immediately attracted to her. Sheba is married to the much older Richard, and is just re-entering the work force after devoting herself to her special needs son. Barbara later witnesses Sheba in a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old student named Steven Connolly at the school. When Barbara confronts her, she recounts all the details of her involvement with the boy, but 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 reporting her, providing Sheba ends the illicit relationship immediately, but Barbara secretly plans to use the affair as a means of manipulating Sheba.
Sheba tells Steven that the affair is over yet finds herself unable to stop seeing him. However, when she refuses to give in to Barbara’s demands on her time, Barbara reveals the secret to a male teacher who has told her that he is attracted to Sheba. After the affair becomes public, the head teacher accuses Barbara of knowing about the affair and not notifying the authorities. He also learns that a former teacher at the school had taken out a restraining order against Barbara for stalking her and her fiancé. Both Sheba and Barbara are fired.
