Teacher's Pet: Judi Dench zeroes in on new colleague Cate Blanchett. Meow, already!

“Ugh, this movie made me want to go home and take a shower. It couldn't be any more offensive and promote any more idiotic sterotypes about old lesbians if it tried. Really a hateful film.” --a post on a queer website

“The role does not in any way fit the notion of a politically correct gay character.” --The Advocate

“Notes on a Scandal is one of the most sexist and homophobic films I have ever seen.” --Malinda Lo, AfterEllen.com

So... There you have some queer takes on the critically acclaimed film, Notes On a Scandal, which has been nominated for four Oscars, including Best Actress for Judi Dench and Best Supporting Actress for Cate Blanchett. I saw the film this past weekend. Did I enjoy watching it? Totally. Do I feel a little guilty? Yup.

I mean, I agree with all of the comments above. Yes, Barbara Covett, the Judi Dench character is basically a psycho closeted lesbian, treated with disdain and disgust by those around her. Hers is not a PC character representation at all. And at a time when there are hardly any positive images of lesbians (closeted or otherwise) in films, that’s a shame. I know all that...

But I did enjoy the film, for the tacky, yet well-scripted, well-directed, pulpy potboiler that it is. It’s brilliantly acted, and sharply scripted, with over-the-top bile-oozing narration, delivered impeccably by Judi Dench’s warped character. She’s a vitriolic “spinster,” Miss Marple gone wrong. And in the same way that Showgirls or Fatal Attraction is entertaining (hmmmm... two other misogynistic romps, perhaps?), or that a juicy episode of a trashy soap opera is engaging, so is Notes On a Scandal.

Am I allowed, as a gay person, to enjoy watching this bile-fest? I think so. Sure, we all know there are crazy, psycho lesbians and unhinged gay men out there. Chances are you’ve had an ex who you might have felt stalked you; or perhaps there’s been someone you’ve had an unhealthy obsession with. Are we not allowed to present that onscreen? Of course we are.

Judi Dench in "Notes": Tragic? Scary? Offensive? Misunderstood?

But the tricky point with Notes On a Scandal lies in how this characterization is delivered and who's presenting it. Are the filmmakers happily cashing in on a perception that the widespread public is all too happy to view homosexuals (especially unsavory, scruffy older lesbians who don’t fit The L Word standard of glamour or femininity) as unsound, grasping sociopaths? That’s what I’m not sure about... Or hope isn’t the case.

I feel strongly (though I don’t think any of them involved in the film have said this) that all the principals in the movie are gay-friendly people and supporters of gay rights. Director Richard Eyre has helmed shows at London’s National Theater for years, working with great gay talents like Sir Ian McKellen, and so on. The lead cast members are all smart, gay-friendly actors. Most of the film’s own characters, the progressive Sheba (Blanchett) and her husband Richard (Bill Nighy) for instance, would certainly have gay friends. And even Barbara Covett’s own family members inquire kindly as to whether her character is seeing anyone “special,” a clear nod that they hope she has a nice female partner to share her life with. So, it’s arguable that this film offers us merely one depiction of a twisted, sour character incapable of a healthy relationship, who just happens to be gay. (And certainly it would be nice to have a gay schoolteacher depicted benignly. Even in The History Boys, the beloved old poof schoolmaster, Hector, has a tendency to grope his charges.) So it’s uncertain where this film fits into the larger context of stereotypically bad gay representations on film.

When teachers attack: Push comes to shove in "Notes."

Still, like I said, I had fun watching Notes on a Scandal. Maybe I’m delusional? I mean, I loved the film The Talented Mr. Ripley, another critically acclaimed movie with a central character who’s a delusional, pyschologically unstable (and in his case, murderous) gay person. Did I feel that that film cast a pall over all gay men, and scarred how the public perceives us? No.

But maybe Notes on a Scandal is somehow more dangerous, in its own way. Does this film make it too easy to laugh off any criticism of this movie as homophobic, as it can deflect scrutiny by characterizing itself as simply a fun, pulpy story about a nasty character who just happens to be an unstable old homosexual? Possibly.

Ultimately, I do know that I’m glad this film isn’t nominated for Best Picture. After Brokeback lost last year, I don’t think I’d be ready for this unsavory portrait of lesbian longing (however unrepresentative as it may be) to turn around and be rewarded for its particular take on gayness. I’m fine with the movie if it’s characterized as a scenery-chewing drama-fest; I guess I’m not cool with it as a statement on how homosexuals pursue relationships. For me, I guess it’s all about the context. But is that just a little too convenient?

Hmmmmmm...

To paraphrase Whoopi Goldberg from "Ghost": Sheba, you in danger girl...

P.S. And not to get tooooo serious here...

My Top Five Movies That I Like That Feature Unflattering Portrayals of LGBT folks

5. Notes On a Scandal

An archaic portrayal of a pyscho lesbian spinster, 2.0

4. Victim

Dirk Bogarde cheats with a man in 1961 England. And really hates himself for it.

3. Silence of the Lambs

When transvestite serial killers attack!

2. The Talented Mr. Ripley

I mean, who doesn't want to be the rich blond guy, right?

1. The Boys in the Band

"If we only didn't hate ourselves quite sooo muuuuuch...." Of course, then the movie wouldn't be nearly as good, would it?