Radio Lady Discusses: The Devil Wears Dench -- that's Dame Judi Dench, the English actress.

In my opinion, Judi Dench is one of the most talented actresses in the world today. I previewed her latest film, "Notes On A Scandal" and it's a tightly wound thriller set in England -- a "tour de force" for Judi if there ever was one. Her character is a cold and calculating spinster history teacher at an English school. She is acerbic, literate, refined -- and brutal. Cate Blanchett, as a younger art teacher married to an older man and caught in the act with a student, is also exceedingly good. Both women deserve Oscar nominations, although Judi may find herself in competition with Merle Streep in "The Devil Wears Prada" and Helen Mirren, another accomplished English actress, in "The Queen."

My full review of "Notes On A Scandal" is embargoed until Friday, January 5, when the movie opens in Portland, Oregon and elsewhere.

However, I couldn't miss a chance to pass along this excellent article which appeared in last Sunday's PARADE Magazine.

In Step With... Judi Dench
By James Brady
Published: December 17, 2006

In the South Pacific, Rogers & Hammerstein once wrote, joyously and memorably, “There is nothin’ like a dame.” And there’s nothing like Oscar-winner Dame Judi Dench, who just wowed audiences in the new hit James Bond film, Casino Royale, reprising her role as M, head of the secret service. How did she like the new 007, Daniel Craig? “He was delightful, just delightful,” said Dench. “It was a very tantalizing film to do.”

On the heels of that action flick, Dame Judi will star in a new picture, Notes on a Scandal, about obsession and blackmail, with Cate Blanchett. “I play a history teacher,” she said, “and Cate is a nice young art teacher, happily married, who has a love affair with a student and leaves herself vulnerable to me.” I don’t know Ms. Blanchett, so I asked Dame Judi what it was like to work with her.

“Oh, she’s terrific,” said Dench. “I’d never worked with her before, but I’m a huge admirer. There was this one scene that I dreaded doing, and she dreaded doing it as well, so we shared that. Then, when we got through it, that night we shared a bottle of champagne.”

Despite Dench’s hectic film schedule, when we spoke, she was preparing for a role onstage as Mistress Quickly in a new musical version of Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor. A musical? Would Shakespeare be spinning in his grave? “It’s a lovely company,” she said. “I hope he would be smiling.”

MORE AT LINK ABOVE --->

I agree. Three great actors and all truly deserving of any award. Watching them is pure pleasure. Also, love your reviews.

Films opening at this time of the year are the cream of the crop, in advance of the final date for Oscar consideration, December 31.

This one is a must-see and it's buzzing all over -- music, cinematography, scenic design. Some may consider it too tawdry, but I didn't think so. Rated "R" so don't bring the children.

I'm like a kid in a candy store -- waiting for Christmas!

Radio Lady listens...

There will be heavy Oscar competition for 2006.

Judi Dench has already won an Oscar for her brief performance in "Shakespeare in Love."

or spectacularly beautiful. Depending on the role she is playing.

I remember how frumpy she was as Nell in "Henry V", and how beautiful she is as 'M' in the Bond films.

She wears "schoolteacher dull" duds and old lady shoes. The camera spares nothing -- they are tight in on her wrinkles and sags, and there is NO soft focus! There's even a quite decorous scene with Judi in the bathtub! Imagine that!

The other actress who has this ability to look frumpy or dashing is Meryl Streep. She looks very beautiful but evil in "The Devil Wears Prada" -- and I based my subject line on that fact! But see her in that other Garrison Keillor movie about the radio show "The Prairie Home Companion," she looks very different -- a heavier old hippy in country clothing. A string of other movies shows Meryl is willing and able to try many exciting roles as she grows older.

Radio Lady listens...

...the film Iris, which you have no doubt seen. For those who haven't, it's a depiction of the marriage of the great Iris Murdoch and her husband, John Bayley. It also contains an unsparing look at Murdoch's descent into Alzheimer's.

Kate Winslet (no slouch in the acting department, either) plays the young Murdoch, with Judi Dench as the elder. Hugh Bonneville and Oscar winner Jim Broadbent turn in great performances as, respectively, the younger and older Bayley.

I like to say that Dench played Murdoch without vanity and Winslet played her without clothes. :evilgrin:

depressing. Thanks for posting.

And Dench allowed herself to look like crap in that one.

She's a true actor - cares more about the story and the way she presents it, then how she looks or what restaurant she's seen at.

in a bathtub! Nothing lewd -- you see her upper chest, arms, face and parts of her legs.

That took guts, in my estimation.

One of the few actors that I would be willing to go way out of my way to see.

I would love to see her on stage someday.

- when the world settles back down from Christmas madness.

IMHO she is the only woman who could play M. Any man could play that part.

2006. I will post my own review on opening day, January 5th.

Here is Shawn's preview:

"Notes on a Scandal" (Richard Eyre): Delicious nastiness full of delectable acting, acid dialogue and shocking behavior -- and yet for all that, it feels strangely like a slice of genteel British life. Judi Dench is a judgmental and condescending schoolteacher who fastens onto new colleague Cate Blanchett and contrives to claim her as a friend (and, though she may not admit it to herself, a lover). But Blanchett is not only married (to the irreplaceable Bill Nighy), she's also having an affair -- which gives the opportunistic Dench the leverage she requires for her designs. Patrick Marber, who adapted Zoe Heller's novel, wrote "Closer," this film's posh, wicked, merciless cousin. Impeccable performances and great evil fun. (Opens Jan. 5)

Full link to Shawn's discussion of all ten films in the Arts & Entertainment section of Portland Oregonian Friday, Dec. 29:

http://www.oregonlive.com/movies/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/116726552752500.xml&coll=7

pretty. She was with her grandchildren in the hotel gift shop where she was buying a gift for the kids mummy. When I heard that exquisite voice with its precise, clipped British accent, I turned to see who it was and there I was, face to face with her! I'm afraid I mumbled something about appreciating her artistry. She seemed slightly surprised but pleased and she thanked me.

Did you see her in "Tea with Mussolini"? That was a terrific movie with all those great British grande dames. It was great fun!

I can't wait to see "Notes." It's definitely on my list!

while exercising on a treadmill about a year ago! I think I walked about six extra miles to see the ending on cable TV!

In peace,

Radio_Lady in Oregon