--- title: "Notes on a Scandal: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/notes-on-a-scandal/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/notes-on-a-scandal" critics_score: 72 critics_reviews: 13 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Notes on a Scandal (2006): what the critics said Critics' score 72 from 13 reviews: 7 positive, 5 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics like Notes on a Scandal, and nearly all of them like it for the same reason. Judi Dench’s Barbara is praised in almost every review, as chilling, imperious, spiteful and grotesquely comic, and several critics pair her with Cate Blanchett and find the scenes between the two women the film’s best. The warmer notices call it a gripping, deviously entertaining thriller that stays absorbing even though neither woman is easy to like. The reservations gather around the writing rather than the acting. The mixed reviews find the characters thin and the drama brittle; Slant Magazine thinks the third act is rushed, and The AV Club objects to the score as well as the shallow characterisation. The one outright dissent comes from the Los Angeles Times, which finds the adaptation bombastic and less psychologically complex than the novel. The spread is moderate: a cluster of strong recommendations, a block of three-star shrugs, and a single refusal. ## The New Yorker — David Denby Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 7 January 2007. Denby finds the film wonderfully entertaining and brilliant. He especially praises Judi Dench’s nuanced performance and Cate Blanchett’s portrayal of Sheba. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/01/15/friends-and-enemies) ## Empire — Olly Richards Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The critic calls the film intelligent, classy and skin-crawling, with only a few moments that feel too explicit or emotionally false. Judi Dench’s chilling, nuanced performance is singled out as the film’s masterclass. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/notes-scandal-review/) ## The Guardian — Rob Mackie Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 4 June 2007. Mackie finds the film absorbing, gripping, and emotionally compelling despite its deeply flawed characters. He especially praises the subtle performances, led by Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/jun/04/dvdreviews.drama) ## Variety — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 8 December 2006. Chang finds the film a deviously entertaining, superbly executed thriller. He especially praises the riveting interplay between Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2006/film/awards/notes-on-a-scandal-2-1200511602/) ## Radio Times — Sloan Freer Rating 4/5. The critic praises the film as an intense, gritty drama. Judi Dench’s performance is singled out for its malignant spite and intensity. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-a9mz96/notes-on-a-scandal/) ## Screen Daily — Geoffrey Macnab Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 11 December 2006. The accessible page does not reveal the critic’s verdict. It provides no readable praise or complaint about the film. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/notes-on-a-scandal/4029900.article) ## Time Out — Jessica Winter Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 30 January 2007. The page is identified as a film review, but its critical verdict is not visible. The available text only introduces the novel’s original title and Sheba Hart. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/notes-on-a-scandal) ## The AV Club — Noel Murray Rating C+. 28 December 2006. Murray finds the film smart but ultimately brittle and emotionally unconvincing. He praises Judi Dench’s performance and the film’s observations about generational differences, while criticizing the score and shallow characterization. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/notes-on-a-scandal-1798202305) ## Slant Magazine — Jason Clark Rating 2.5/4. 6 December 2006. Clark finds the film lurid and entertaining, though he criticizes its rushed, collapsing third act. He especially praises Judi Dench’s fearless, grotesquely comic performance. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/notes-on-a-scandal/) ## Total Film — Total Film Rating 3/5. 2 February 2007. The review finds the film an uneven acting showcase, with script problems undermining its drama. It praises Judi Dench’s vivid, imperious performance as Barbara. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/notes-on-a-scandal-review/) ## Los Angeles Times — Carina Chocano Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 27 December 2006. The critic finds the adaptation bombastic and less psychologically complex than the novel, despite some strengths. She praises Judi Dench’s commanding portrayal and notes the striking visual effect of the teacher-student pairing. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-dec-27-et-scandal27-story.html) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 1 February 2007. The review regards the film as exceptional, with flawless direction and a perfectly pitched screenplay. It especially praises Judi Dench’s compelling performance as the manipulative Barbara. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/notes-on-a-scandal-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) ## Digital Spy — Daniel Saney Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 31 January 2007. The review calls the film an enthralling thriller and memorable drama. It particularly praises Dench and Blanchett’s performances, along with the film’s pacing. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a42114/notes-on-a-scandal/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/notes-on-a-scandal.md