Grade: B

Expect to see acting nominations for both Judi Densch and Cate Blanchett for their performances in “Notes on a Scandal.”  Individually they are each amazing, but the best scenes are when they are together – they have a rare chemistry.  The story is about a new art teacher (Blanchett) who arrives at a high school and in trying to find her way becomes friends with a veteran teacher (Densch) with questionable motives.  Blanchett is married with children, but ends up having an affair with a student.  Densch, lonely and sad, finds out, and uses the information to get closer to her. We get clues all along the way as to what is really going on, and it’s scandalous!  The movie is riveting.  Not for everyone, it gets a little uncomfortable, but it’s definitely original.