Doubt
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Movie Reviews of Doubt
Movie Review: Gratifying Nunsense
Summary: 5 Stars
Oh, this film is a gem. The cinematography, the acting, the characters, the director, the place, the time and those words not said. The gem of them all is Meryl Streep as Sister Aloysius, "Ms. Streep blows in like a storm, shaking up the story's reverential solemnity with gusts of energy and comedy. The performance may make no sense in the context of the rest of the film, but it is -- forgive me, Father -- gratifying nunsense"
Manohla Dargis
Doubt as we all know, and as Father Flynn played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, reminds us in a sermon is ambiguity, that land between black and white. Sister Aloysius is a nun from the old school, stern and severe, no nonsense, and underneath, rarely does the real person shows through. She is the Principal of the school, St Nicholas, and everything is done and run by her. Sister James, Amy Adams, once remarks that the school is like a jail- the students are afraid and intimidated by Sister Aloysius. "That's as it should be," answers, Sister Aloysius. She gives great latitude to Sister James, could it be she sees in her a younger, truer image of herself? We find out as time goes on that Sister Aloysius was once married, but her husband was killed during the war. Meryl Streep is delicious in this role, her accent so true to the times and the Bronx.
Sister James is an innocent. She believes life is good and fair and just and it is up to Sister Aloysius to teach her the ropes. But, Sister James comes through in flying colors, and she is the embodiment of every teacher we have ever loved.
Father Flynn, he of such great depth and charm and warmth. All he wants to do is to bring some reform to the school. To lighten up the dark, bring some modern fun and times to the school. And, then he is accused.
Donald, the only black child in the school. He is not scorned by his classmates, but left to go on his own. He is befriended by Father Flynn. A boy needs a role model.
Donald's mother, Mrs Mullen, played by Viola Davis, is a loving mother, and she only wants the best for her child. Donald only needs until June when he graduates and can get into a good college and be on his way. Donald's mother and Sister Aloysius have one of the pivotal moments in this film, and Viola Davis is superb. She blows the scene away with her acting.
John Patrick Shaley, the writer and director portrays the school of his youth in real terms. He returns to his neighborhood, uses some of his old child hood friends as extras and brings the Catholic childhood of his youth to life. He first wrote the play and it appeared on Broadway to rave reviews.
There are few things in this film that are for certain. One of them may be the absolute powerlessness of women in the Church. The men are protected and the women wait on them. Oh, really? We all have doubts, we are sure at times we know who is right and who is wrong, and then the film twists this all around and up and down. This film has one of the few times when all of us, in unison, gasp at what we have just seen. There is no doubt that this film is extraordinary. It is a film that kept me spellbound.
Highly, Highly Recommended. prisrob 04-11-08
"...First Do No Harm"
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (Widescreen & Full Screen Edition)
Owning Mahowny
Movie Review: And what does she doubt?
Summary: 5 Stars
Doubt / B001PA0FFO
*Spoilers*
I have my doubts (har-har) that I went into "Doubt" with the correct mindset. I had expected one of those "mess with your head" movies where the viewer is never quite certain who was telling the truth and who was lying (or just blatantly wrong). So I was rather surprised and a bit disappointed when Philip Seymour Hoffman pretty much shows up in the first scene wearing an "Hello, I am a pedophile" T-shirt.
Not that this was a bad call on the part of the movie-makers. Hoffman's recent roles have been enough of the "shifty, guilty, and terribly wrong" variety (Before the Devil Knows You're Dead) that it would be difficult for movie-goers to jump past that particular little type-casting long enough to give Hoffman the benefit of the doubt, particularly after a couple of decades of seemingly endless priest scandals and an unforgettable viewing of Deliver Us from Evil. So even though a token effort is made to make Streep seem unfairly mean and spiritually shriveled, and to make Hoffman seem like a "jus' folks" kind of guy whose love for kids is completely wholesome, it's always clear that this token effort is made to excuse the doubts of the ancillary characters only, never to seriously engender doubts in the viewer.
Not that the ancillary characters need much coaxing to believe the worst of Streep and the best of Hoffman. Adams stars across Streep as her younger foil, and her character is simultaneously frustratingly naive and yet realistically plagued with doubt. Her animosity towards Streep stems largely from an ideological difference in teaching (Adams thinks children are all unique butterflies and Streep thinks children are all unruly ruffians), but even when she makes this animosity plain and clear, Streep merely absorbs the abuse without a blink and carries on as if nothing has happened. By contrast, Hoffman reacts violently and abusively (even going so far as to incorporate the incident into an abusive and twisted sermon on "his version" of the matter) towards the slightest hint that his behavior may have been inappropriate, and Adams fails to notice anything usual or vindictive about this behavior in her haste to exonerate the priest.
And here is the crux of the matter: Adams doesn't want Hoffman to be exonerated because she likes him, so much as she NEEDS him to be exonerated so that something awful hasn't happened under her very nose. Streep, on the other hand, is convinced of the truth and will not turn away from her convictions, but she confesses, in the movie's climax, to being haunted by doubts. The question we are left with is: What does she doubt? I do not think she doubts Hoffman's guilt or her own rightness, but rather I believe she doubts either the benevolence/existence of god or the rightness of the Catholic Church she has devoted her life to, or possibly both.
I deeply enjoyed this movie, if not as a "who's telling the truth" thriller, then at least as a dramatic depiction of one woman taking on the world, if not to save a child then at least to purge her school of a predator. As a treatise on faith and doubts, it yields no answers, but does provide many thought-provoking questions.
~ Ana Mardoll
Movie Review: Movie of the year
Summary: 5 Stars
The only thing I can with certainty about John Patrick Shanley's "Doubt" is that it makes the grade for the best film of 2008. Everything else is sort of up in the air, as I'm sure this playwright turned director would have it.
Set in a Catholic School in 1964, right around the same time of Vatican II, one could make a good case that despite being set in an atmosphere of faith this is a perfect movie for an agnostic or a lapsed Catholic. A really anguished agnostic and lapsed Catholic.
Philip Seymour Hoffmann plays Father Brendan Flynn in one of the most exquisitely ambiguous performances I have ever seen. His character is seen, indeed, "through a glass darkly" though despite the ambiguity I don't think any viewer can come away without feeling a little slime rub off. What is the exact nature of the slime? Is it shame over a different sexual orientation? Or is he in fact what the hawk-like, steely Sister Alyosisus suspects him to be: a sexual predator?
While Meryl Streep gave a very entertaining performance as the classic Nunzilla, she wasn't really as bad as many viewers of the film hyped her up to be. I've had more frightening teachers than that in public school.
Having attended Catholic school nearly my entire life, I can say that "living in terror of priests and nuns" is, by and large, a myth. There was some discipline involved, but I don't walk around crying about it decades later.
Though she laments the increasing use of ballpoint pens, transistor radios, and progress in general, she obviously has a heart.
Always eager to assist Sister Veronica, an aging fellow nun who is slowly blinding, and patient with the starry eyed Sister James (Amy Adams). There a few moments of absolute frigidity that occur mostly when her Absolutist nature is disturbed (telling Donald's mother that she will kick the child out if she does up her unfounded allegations against Father Flynn.) When Father Flynn suggests "secular" songs for the Christmas pageant, she becomes really chilling, insisting that "Frosty The Snowman" is a disgusting piece of pagan heresy. Also, Frosty should be known as a heretic and it should be broadcast all over the airwaves during Christmas.
There's obviously a lot of resentment on Shanley's part regarding the patriarchal nature of the Church. When Sister Aloysius and Sister James confront Father Flynn their suspicions about his relationship with the only black student in the school, Donald Miller, he sets the tone very authoritatively by strongly "suggesting" they put sugar in his tea. His explanation for Donald's absence and the alcohol on his breath is believable. All too believable.
This is the kind of movie in which you have to weigh and balance every word, every nuance, and understand the symbolism if you want to get to the root of it. Personally, I got the very strong sense that Shanley is playing both sides to evoke a sense of justice: while Father Flynn represents progressivism and Vatican II, he is very probably a child molester. On the other hand Sister Aloysius represents the desire for female liberation and absolute Conservatism at the same time, which is merely an unresolved complex and not appealing to most viewers at all. But out of the two of them, she is the righteous one. This movie has to be seen more than once. A masterpiece.
Movie Review: We know more of doubt than we know of certainty
Summary: 5 Stars
The film based on John Patrick Shanley's play is superbly done. The actors are in top form with Meryl Streep and Seymour Hoffman demonstrating consider acting force as a nun and a priest in a struggle for competing versions of reality. It is basically about the quest for truth in a world of incomplete clues and hints. The search for truth may lead to a broad range of consequences depending on whose truth is accepted and whose truth is rejected. Sister Aloysius, the Catholic school principal, played by Meryl Streep, is convinced that she has discovered a truth about Father Brendan Flynn, a robust likable assertive priest, played by Seymour Hoffman.
A great strength of the films script is that Shanley leaves the mystery somewhat unresolved in the screen play. Though some film viewers may have concluded that Father Flynn did have some improper behavior with a student, there is still much room for doubt since Father Muller could have been transferred to another Catholic parish to avoid Sister Aloysius' continued assault on his reputation and his peace of mind.
The film begins with the central theme of the play, as given in a sermon by Father Flynn. He states: "What do you do when you are not sure?" The play cascades from this point with Sister Aloysius convinced of Father Flynn's guilt and Sister James wracked with moral uncertainty as to what is true or not true and what are the moral consequences for each decision.
Each clue in the film propels you toward one solution until you are given another clue drawing you in the opposite direction and conclusion. In this way, Sister James acts as the viewer and she voices some of the same trusts and doubts that must be in the mind of every viewer of the film. Some viewers of the film will not rush to judgment and will absorb the subtle clues that propel this clash of characters forward. Other viewers of the film will take sides since Father Flynn is a likeable, robust, assertive, clever, strong, person who is contrasted with the cold rock strength and certainty of Sister Aloysius, who is never presented as especially warm or compassionate yet her actions speak to great compassion if indeed she fully believes she is interrupting the sexual predatory actions of Father Flynn.
The film even takes a surprise direction when we hear from Donald Muller's mother who tells us her son is an effeminate child who was been repeatedly beaten in public schools as well as by his father for his effeminate behaviors. In Catholic school, his mother hoped he would be protected. His mother sees the possible attentions of this white priest toward her son as far more desirable than the hostility he experiences from young males in public school or from his own father. The character of Mrs. Muller is unexpected, wonderfully acted, and throws a complete different light onto the actions of the play. Sister Aloysius thought she had found a partner and then found more than for which she had bargained.
The film comes to a resolution, one that I will not reveal and one that not every viewer will like or appreciate. But the human condition requires doubt, and certainty is so rare that we rightfully distrust it, doubt is far more likely to be the fate of human beings.
Movie Review: Certainly One of the Best of 2008
Summary: 5 Stars
Doubt is written and directed by John Patrick Shanley, who also wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning play. The film was one of the most acclaimed films of 2008 and scored Oscar nominations for all four main performances...I can honestly say that Doubt is, without a doubt, one of the best films of 2008.
Meryl Streep plays Sister Aloysius, the dictator-like principal of Saint Nicholas Church School. Lips eternally pursed, Aloysius inspires fear in the hearts of staff and students alike. Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is the parish priest who is universally loved by all; nuns, students, superiors...Everyone except Aloysius. When Father Flynn takes an interest in a young African-American boy named Donald Miller, Aloysius warns Sister James (Amy Adams), the young and innocent history teacher, to keep her eyes open. One day, Donald Miller is called to the rectory by Father Flynn...When he returns, Sister James notices alcohol on his breath; she reports her findings to Aloysius.
Doubt is not a mystery or a "did he or didn't he?" about the priest. If this is all you want from the film, you'll be disappointed. Doubt is about exactly what it title implies.
Much has been made about the performances in the film...I'm about to add to this. Hoffman, Streep, and Adams all deliver powerhouse performances, but for completely different reasons. We have three actors here all delivering various degrees of performances. Streep completely disappears into her role, simultaneous getting our fear, hatred, and sympathy. Hoffman plays his role so well and with such nuance, we don't know how to feel about him. He's fascinating. Amy Adams brings such an innocent, endearing quality to her role it becomes apparent why she's one of the most acclaimed actress's of recent years...And than there's Viola Davis, who has less than 20-minutes of screen time and was nominated for an Academy Award.
Davis is the most talked about, despite having only two scenes. In the first, she's working with Meryl Streep and actually threatens to upstage the woman. Davis plays Mrs. Miller and brings such a dramatic punch to the film; it's a travesty that an actress who pulled off such a feat did not win the Academy Award. She is the heart-and-soul of this film.
Even the child actor's are good and don't have that annoying "clearly acting" quality.
Anyone studying terrific acting need look no further than the scene where Father Flynn is confronted by Sister James and Sister Aloysius. I found this scene more thrilling than many action movies and the way the actors play off each other while the tension slowly builds is just wonderful.
Movies based on stage plays are usually so rooted in their stage origins, there's little room in a film version for anything besides great acting and a great story. Well, Doubt has both as well as great set direction and great cinematography by the legendary Roger Deakins.
Entertaining, timeless, and powerful. Doubt may not look like a very appealing movie to the masses, but it's a wonderful film with some of the best performances of 2008. Not to be missed.
GRADE: A