A gossipy Zoe Heller novel is transformed into a sleek, taut, cerebral thriller by Patrick Marber’s screenplay, a Philip Glass score and a right catfight between bitter, lonely teacher Barbara (Judi Dench) and the victim of her infatuation, arty-chic Sheba (Cate Blanchett).
When Sheba cheats on Bill Nighy with a student, Babs has her fate in her greedy palm. A quality team turn soap to strychnine.
EXTRAS: 4*
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Director’s commentary; 3 featurettes including Behind The Scenes; 3 webisodes including Judi And Cate; 4 conversations with Blanchett and Nighy.
CHRIS ROBERTS
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