Plot summary

Barbara Covett (Dame Judi Dench) is a lonely and bitter teacher at a high school, nearing retirement. She spends her time writing up a diary and caring for an elderly cat. When Sheba Hart (Cate Blanchett) joins the faculty, Barbara is interested in the young woman. Barbara befriends her, and Sheba invites Barbara to lunch with the family. Barbara writes up scornful remarks about the husband, and is particularly caustic about their son, Ben (Max Lewis), who has Down's Syndrome. The drama begins when Barbara discovers that Sheba is having an affair with fifteen-year-old student, Steven Connolly (Andrew Simpson). Barbara sees that she can coerce and influence Sheba. She demands that Sheba break it off. When Sheba fails to, Barbara strikes out, disclosing the affair to other faculty. The school acts, and Sheba is let go. Barbara is also fired for not disclosing the business to officials. However, we learn that there has been a history. Barbara has stalked a previous teacher, and the school is glad to get rid of her. In the spiralling crisis of Sheba's life, she is forced to move out of her house. Sheba is then manipulated into living with Barbara. However, it becomes clear that the older woman wants a romantic partner; Sheba reacts to this angrily.—Norris