Danny Nguyen’s Reviews > Notes on a Scandal: A Screenplay > Status Update
Danny Nguyen
is 36% done
A teacher should never catch feelings or get too attached with his/her students. It only brings trouble and I agree with Barbara on this one, even though Barbara is made out to be somewhat unlikable according to the script. At least Barbara has the common sense to know that such affairs with underaged pupils is just wrong on many levels, no matter what the excuses or reasons, as much as I want to empathize with Sheba
— Apr 25, 2020 12:32PM
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Danny Nguyen
is 99% done
Bottom line, don't have affairs, be careful with the secrets you share, don't trust anyone, and friendships are more than control and loyalty, but also understanding, true understanding that doesn't hurt both parties. The film is good drama and a good thriller. Glad to have decided to pick it up after all these years having it on my shelf. Good read.
— Apr 25, 2020 01:42PM
Danny Nguyen
is 99% done
In the end, Sheba takes her punishment, but Barbara moves on, continuing this delusional obsession of trying to find someone to be with in the most controlling ways possible. The last scene has her talk with another woman, implying that she will start her destructive cycle all over again. It's fascinating, yet filthy and wretched. What a good read of a screenplay. Must watch the film now.
— Apr 25, 2020 01:40PM
Danny Nguyen
is 90% done
Barbara is just as twisted to do this to Sheba thinking this is for her own good. Friendship in Barbara's eyes is about loyalty and control. She just wants to have Sheba all to herself and nothing else, unwilling to come to terms with the reality that Sheba doesn't want her. Thus, Barbara tries to make her want her. It's silly, Barbara. Both Barbara and Sheba are just the complicated characters that actors love.
— Apr 25, 2020 01:32PM
Danny Nguyen
is 90% done
Seems that Barbara herself has dirty secrets of her own. It appears that her behavior has occurred before with another person who filed a restraining order towards her. Seriously, this screenplay has just been an engaging read, an interesting film that I'll be sure to borrow from the library to watch and follow along. It's scripts like these that make good films if you just want to keep reading, hungry for more.
— Apr 25, 2020 01:29PM
Danny Nguyen
is 82% done
Well, it was bound to happen. Barbara intentionally slipped out to a fellow co-worker that Sheba Hart has a thing for young boys and from then on the chaos ensues. Sheba has to deal with the fallout of her disgusting deeds while Barbara just sits back and watches, though Barbara is also delusional to think that she and Sheba could become a thing. Both are selfish people for different reasons, but both selfish anyway.
— Apr 25, 2020 01:20PM
Danny Nguyen
is 68% done
Wow, Sheba is just very naïve, to think that someone like Steven, an immature childish 15 year old could appreciate someone like her. This is why affairs with people underaged is a dumb thing. What's the point of the whole charade of it? Like Sheba's fantasy, though, Barbara's fantasy of hoping to be with Sheba forever - maybe she's a lesbian? - is also delusional. It's interesting because they both are similar.
— Apr 25, 2020 01:07PM
Danny Nguyen
is 44% done
It's almost as if Barbara is in love with Sheba in an irrational way.
— Apr 25, 2020 12:43PM
Danny Nguyen
is 44% done
It's all twisted. Here's the dialogue - in voice-over - of Barbara when Sheba confesses to her and what Barbara plans to do with this secret: "With stealth I might secure the prize, long term, forever in my debt..." Barbara is very cunning and manipulative in attempting to get Sheba to be her friend forever. Even Barbara is a bit deluded as a person, with her own nefarious motives given the sad life she leads.
— Apr 25, 2020 12:43PM
Danny Nguyen
is 36% done
We are bound by the secrets we share and Sheba is bound to Barbara now, who believes that she has found in Sheba a sort of a soul mate of a friend.
— Apr 25, 2020 12:33PM
Danny Nguyen
is 36% done
Barbara, the older teacher portrayed by Judi Dench, is clearly obsessed with Sheba. She's quite the character, the older, cynical, one of those mean strict teachers you know at face value. Yet she's cunning, has an interesting way of looking at things. She's at least structured and principled, unlike Sheba, who lives a "bohemian" lifestyle, a young, naïve art teacher. Frankly, Sheba shouldn't have caught feelings.
— Apr 25, 2020 12:30PM
