I believe the slang is a "missionary" for a gay person trying to seduce a same sex straight person. This is a niche taboo i suppose and possibly a sort of psychological normalization, that is common among gay people. Judy Dench and Cate Blanchett, are possibly the foremost female, british actresses at this point in time and should prove an interesting experience together in this adaptation of a book of the same title.
They both work at a public school in London. Covett (Dench) is an old spinster who has worked at the school for ages. The new teacher Hart (Blanchett) arrives and Covett is attracted to her. Apparently it is not known that she is a lesbian, one that seduces straight women and controls them. She is cunning and will use any mean necessary to either lure or force them into a "relationship", by using knowledge about their private lives. In this case, Hart has an affair with one of the teenage boys at school, that could expel her if it were known. The situation escalates untill Hart has to give in and reveal herself and her lies and confront Covett, when she finally realizes what is really going on.
I really enjoyed Dench´s performance. Holy #¤% can she look like a cunning predator. Her shabby looks and piercing eyes is spot on for this type of person, though maybe a bit stereotypical. But sometimes it is just fun to have things spelled out really good. Blanchetts performance is supposed to be kind of weak for her characters personality, and she hits it well also. The affair with the boy is handled too much like it is the boy that seduces Hart. That seems unrealistic, and maybe slight tendancy to political correctness to take the blame away from her.
I think the plot is to too simple to make this a really interesting movie and it takes too long for things to get going. It is a solid movie on the other hand and i did not feel really bored at any time. It is the kind of movie that you enjoy once and then thats it. Good fun, but not more than that.
Rating: 5/10