MovieChat Forums > Notes on a Scandal (2007) Discussion > Who's worse? (spoilers)

Who's worse? (spoilers)

posted 8 years ago by Seth_Rogue_One
7 replies | jump to latest

Sheba (Cate Blanchett) who had an affair with a teenager she was tutoring or Barbara (Judi Dench) who not only knew that it was going on but let it go on in order to try to use it for her benefit?

I would say Barbara because, even though Sheba did something wrong of course with engaging in a affair with the teenage boy, it was never malicious and it was consential.

Where as Barbara, really if you look at it, was the true essence of what Sheba was eventually percieved as, a manipulative predator preying in younger flesh... Not as young as Sheba of course but it's still very much in the same lane.

But different of course in this case as Sheba wasn't actually a predator and never stooped to any manipulative tactics the way Barbara did, Barbara pretended to be a friend where as her intentions were always to get some poon half her age. Wouldn't surprise me if she had the cat put to sleep despite being healthy just so she could get consoled by Sheba.

Barbara was also a judgmental bitch.

Amazing indeed: https://youtu.be/dC3MpShH61I

[–] Future_Games 8 years ago

I'm on the fence about Sheba. Yes, she broke the law by sleeping with an underage teenager (he was nearly 16) but I wouldn't call her a sick predator. She'd never done anything like it before. Steven was just as willing as she was. She didn't force herself on him. He initiated it. And no I'm not saying that makes it ok. I think she got caught up in the excitement of feeling wanted again and bitterly regretted it. The fact that Richard supports her in court tells me he knew she'd learnt a valuable lesson and was sorry for her actions. She was a decent person underneath it all.

Barbara took advantage of the situation and was calculating and devious from the get-go. She used Sheba to her advantage. She enjoyed having control over her. She was only interested in what she could get out of the situation. She wasn't innocent in all of this. She enabled a crime. She didn't tell Brian about the affair because it was the right thing to do, it was out of spite.

You keep on reminding me of a darkness only I can see

[–] Crystal (534) 5 years ago

Oh we don't know if she's never done anything like that before...

[–] bluemagicmist 8 years ago

In a way, they're both similar, they are drawn to vulnerable people. Sheba wanted the boy more once she knew of his home life (which was a lie). Sheba believed she 'deserved' and was 'entitled' to have sex with this teenager, in her eyes, he seduced her.

These 2 women deserve each other, they exploit a situation to suit themselves. It just appears shocking because Barbara is old, if she were 30 yrs younger, she'd be a Sheba, with lesbian leanings, lol.

[–] Seth_Rogue_One 8 years ago

It just appears shocking because Barbara is old, if she were 30 yrs younger, she'd be a Sheba, with lesbian leanings, lol.

I disagree that age is a factor, Barbara was extremely manipulative something that Sheba never was in her relationship to the boy

A good father and a good outlaw can't settle inside the same man.

[–] bluemagicmist 8 years ago

I slightly agree except for Sheba did manipulate Barbara into not reporting her. She gave her the hard luck story, she didn't know she was dealing with someone who had a hidden agenda. So basically, they're the same.

[–] Crystal (534) 5 years ago

Oh they both liked them younger. It was not just one. The cat was obviously sick. I guess you only watched the 'fun parts'.

[–] pepetoony (1536) 4 years ago

Steven was freakin' GORGEOUS so Sheba is definitely excused! I mean come on. How could she resist the pull of those baby blues?