Chronicle of a Scandal: What did Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench do in this schizo film?

This thriller, also directed by Bill Nighy, completely confused Première when it was released in 2007.

A teacher on the eve of retirement in a London college, Barbara Covett has nothing else in her life than her job and a cat. His loneliness ends with the arrival of the new art teacher, Sheba Hart. The young woman turns out to be the ideal friend that Barbara had always dreamed of.

When Barbara discovers that her new friend is having an affair with one of her young students, their relationship takes a more formidable turn. Barbara threatens to reveal the scandal to everyone, starting with Sheba’s husband…

In this murky and cruel game, it is Barbara’s own secrets and obsessions that come to the surface. Between the two women, a confrontation begins which will take them to the end of their pretenses and their lies…

Chronicle of a Scandal will be broadcast this evening on Arte. This film by Richard Eyre (Iris, My Lady…), had left First a little lost when it was released at the cinema in early 2007. Despite the talent of its main actresses, this thriller did not convince us. And you ?

“What did Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench do in this schizo film? wrote Nicolas Schaller in his review. Between the satire of manners Closer (by the same author, Patrick Marber) and the psychological thriller Miserythe heart of Chronicle of a scandal balance. And ends up faltering under the blows of an increasingly heavy script, a haphazard direction, emphatic and off-topic music by Philip Glass and execrable supporting male roles (what happened to Bill Nighy?). There remain two great actresses, virtuoso antics.”