Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett were both nominated for Oscars for this story of the conflicts and unlikely friendship between an older, cynical and  lonely conservative teacher, and  a young, attractive pottery instructor. The older woman is loathed by her students and colleagues, the younger woman is loved by her students – perhaps too much. The story outline sounds like a pot-boiler: sex, betrayal, adultery, and disillusionment. But the Oscar nominated screenplay, combined with the amazing performances by the entire cast, create a first-rate drama that raises difficult issues and leaves you thinking. Rated R for language and some “aberrant sexual” content.