Doubt
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Movie Reviews of Doubt
Movie Review: "In the pursuit of wrong-doing, one steps away from God. Of course, there is a price ..."
Summary: 5 Stars
Doubt is a riveting movie with a terrific cast. The story is set in a Catholic school in the mid-1960s, fixed in time by reference to the assassination of JFK. Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep) is the tough principal who has no time for the popular, progressive priest of the parish, Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman). When he preaches a sermon on doubt--the lack of moral clarity and how to find your way through it--she sees it as a personal statement of his guilt about something, and warns her nuns to be on the look-out. Sister James (Amy Adams) joins the witch hunt and suggests that Father Flynn has too much interest in the school's first African-American pupil, an eighth-grade boy. There is no proof, only ugly suspicion, and the boy's mother (Viola Davis) wants to shove the question under the rug and let her son graduate and get on to high school without addressing the matter. In the end, Sister James recants.
The story was topical and the performances award-worthy. While I enjoyed this short movie very much, there are a few points that gave me pause and are worth mentioning. For one thing, it adheres quite strictly to its antecedents as a play; some of the long scenes are occasionally static, and there is little attempt to develop back-story. We learn that Sister Aloysius also has experienced doubt--is it enough to know that, or should the viewer have been indulged with more background on what made her so hard-boiled? These decisions by playwright-screenwriter-director John Patrick Shanley are no doubt deliberate choices and they set a timeless, almost allegorical tone.
Another question--and one I can't answer even though I was a Catholic school pupil in the year this movie was set--is whether the suspicions of the nuns are realistic in their time, or whether they are informed by later revelations. The case (if you can call it that) against Father Flynn is outlined with a very broad brush; his groomed fingernails, his progressive manner, the smell of alcohol on a boy's breath and the assumption that the priest provided it. Still, that IS the way of witch hunts, and Doubt isn't actually about Father Flynn's guilt or innocence, but about the toxic moral environment in which innuendo is as damning as proof.
Meryl Streep is one of the greats performing today, and she played the narrow-minded harpy brilliantly. The character's flashes of humor and doubt are an interesting variation from the more augustly foreboding figure that might have been created for Sister Aloysius. Likewise, Hoffman is brilliantly convincing as the modern-thinking priest who dares to suggest a secular song for the Christmas pageant. In both these characters, true to the name of the film, the question of guilt or innocence is left intriguingly unanswered. In the end the question is not of guilt or innocence, it seems, but of our moral reaction to it.
Linda Bulger, 2009
Movie Review: Without a Doubt
Summary: 5 Stars
Very few films I've seen (made in the last decade or so, at least) rightly deserve the adjective compelling. So many deliver either a skillfully-crafted plot or singular performances by a certain actor or an ensemble cast, but seldom does the combination of both cinematic aspects meld to form a truly amazing movie. Doubt, written and directed by John Patrick Shanley, delivers the exception to the rule, and the result is a miracle to behold.
I won't divulge many specifics because Doubt is a creature that must be experienced without much foreknowledge in order to be fully appreciated. The setting is a Roman Catholic grade school, St. Nicholas, located in the Bronx; the year is 1964. The protagonist is a Sister of Charity, S. Aloysius, who is the school's principal as well as the superior of the convent. Rev. Brendan Flynn is the curate (assistant priest) of St. Nicholas Church.
Suffice it to say the two are at odds over most everything--but usually in a subdued, intellectual manner. Sister Aloysius is stern and old-fashioned; Father Flynn is relaxed and progressive. Meryl Streep is unforgettable as the principal; one can scarcely imagine any other actress breathing such forceful life into the role. Ms. Streep can infuse the tiniest act--the raising of an eyebrow, a murmured "hmm"--with oceans of disdain and derision as no other actress today. Philip Seymour Hoffman, a character actor who has justifiably garnered a reputation for his considerable talent, delivers a nuanced performance as the priest.
Another great talent is the fresh-faced Amy Adams, who plays Sister James, a young nun who is neatly--and regrettably--thrust between the two leads and their duelling philosophies of education and spirituality.
This is a thinking film. Based on the play which Shanley wrote, it is incredibly dialogue-driven, but the pacing is impeccable. From the first syllable of Father Flynn's homily at the outset of the storyline the viewer is drawn in as the leads contend inexorably with one another until one of them proves victorious.
One of the many questions the viewer will come away with after watching is: Who won? And at what cost?
Anyone who has seen this movie will tell you: "I believed X"; the crux of the drama evolves from suspicion and self-defense on the part of the nun and the priest toward one another. The polarization of opinion should lead to intense discussion among viewers. Be assured this film will appeal to a wide audience; it is not solely fixated on the Catholic Church, although those familiar with Catholicism will perhaps comprehend more fully some of the themes and issues raised in the plot. At its core Doubt speaks to sweeping concepts applicable to everyone: faith and faithlessness, optimism and pessimism, mercy and justice, right and wrong.
A gross travesty of the 2009 Oscars was that this phenomenal piece didn't receive a single gold statue (it was, however, nominated for five of them).
I invite the reader to obtain a copy and examine the credibility of Doubt.
Movie Review: Powerful, intelligent drama
Summary: 5 Stars
Doubt is the most powerful, well-acted drama of 2008. The story is set in 1964, at a Catholic school in the Bronx. The plot centers around the school's priest, Father Flynn. He is suspected of instigating an improper relationship, with one of the students at the school.
Meryl Streep plays the stern nun and school Principal, Sister Aloysius Beauvier. Sister Aloysius is often at odds with her subordinate, Sister James. Sister James is a much younger nun, then Sister Aloysius. And Sister James doesn't agree with the harsh methods, that Sister Aloysius insists on using to deal with the students.
A black student named Donald Miller is admitted to the school, and he's the only black attending. Mass integration hasn't yet been implemented at the school. So, Donald is often singled-out by the white kids, as a target for their racism. Donald seeks advice from Father Flynn, about his interest in becoming a priest. Father Flynn also gives Donald morale support, when Donald is harassed by some white students.
One day, Sister James witnesses Father Flynn summoning Donald into a private meeting, in the Rectory. She also sees Father Flynn place Donald's T-shirt, into a locker. When Donald returns to his desk after his meeting with Father Flynn, Donald seems upset to Sister James. She also notices the odor of alcohol, on Donald's breath. Suspecting that Father Flynn had lured Donald into a carnal tryst inside the Rectory, Sister James goes immediately to Sister Aloysius with her concerns.
Meanwhile, Father Flynn wants the school to become more progressive, and reach-out more to their congregation. His philosophy is in direct opposition, to the old-fashioned mentality of Sister Aloysius. She thinks that order and propriety, are more important than the more congenial values, espoused by Father Flynn.
After Sister James confronts Sister Aloysius with her terrible suspicions regarding Father Flynn, Sister Aloysius is 'certain' that Father Flynn is guilty. And she's determined to prove that the seemingly benign, compassionate Father Flynn, is truly a proverbial wolf-in-sheep's-clothing.
Meryl Streep should win an Oscar, for her stellar performance as Sister Aloysius. As a woman on the cusp of being a senior citizen, Meryl fit nicely into the role of the dignified, elder nun. Phillip Seymore Hoffman, was also a good choice to play Father Flynn. Hoffman portrays Father Flynn with just enough of a smarmy aura, to make the view believe that he could really be a devil-in-disguise.
Doubt is a deep, and moving drama. It's an intelligent film, that makes the viewer question their own assumptions about human nature. I highly recommend it, especially for Meryl Streep fans.
Movie Review: Poignant, Thought-Provoking, Riveting!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
As with all art forms, the perspective bought into the mix totally defines the impact. This was an excellent screen adaptation of the award-winning play by director, John Patrick Shanley which ultimately resulted in a uniquely liberating, somewhat painful, yet truly thought-provoking viewing experience. Kudos goes to the principal players, Meryl Streep, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Viola Davis and Joseph Foster, all of whom gave wrenching award-worthy performances.
The story is set in the mid-sixties, not long after the assassination of JFK. A Catholic school in the Bronx accepts its first black student, Donald Miller, beautifully portrayed by Joseph Foster. The priest, wonderfully realized by Phillip Seyour Hoffman, is truly empathetic and realizing what a struggle it must be for the student, keeps an eye on him to make sure he adjusts well to this new and very intricate situation. Because of his attention, one sister, a very effective Amy Adams, initially becomes slightly suspicious of his motives and, unfortunately, reports her suspicions to the principal, an exceedingly pedagogical nun, exquisitely played by Meryl Streep. She, of course, confronts the priest with her suspicions which he vehemently denies and she steadfastly refuses to believe. She even confronts the boy's mother, portrayed by Viola Davis who gives a wrenching performance. The encounter between these two is as taut and revealing as those between the accusing nun and the outraged priest. The overall dialogue is crisp, biting, poignant and positively riveting.
Certain aspects of this whole scenario evoked poignant memories making it rather easy for me to relate to. Moreover, certain revelations the mother made to the nun re the boy's home life raised VERY serious questions. These questions will be at the focal point of any discussions about the play for the simple reason the author wisely neither confirmed nor denied those suspicions which, obviously, was pivotal to the whole theme. Any "doubts" you find yourself faced with while watching this further fuels the profound impact the film makes because in the final analysis, it will be up to the viewer to draw his/her own conclusions - as well it should be. The ending is little short of devastating.
With such a riveting and important play being realized by a positively flawless cast, this could hardly miss. Just I hiiiiiiiiihgly recommend!!!!
Movie Review: Riveting actor's vehicle
Summary: 5 Stars
Having seen the film before reading Amazon.com's summary, I respectfully suggest that Kathleen C. Fennessy go back and watch this movie again.
It's certainly true that Sister Aloysius doesn't like this priest and his progressive ways, but she isn't setting out to destroy him because of that. She is setting out to stop an abusive priest taking advantage of an isolated, lonely boy. How do we know that? The film tells us so in an earlier scene involving another student. We see that student walking away from the school and wiping his nose with a handkerchief. He stops across the street, looks back at the school building, laughs and lights a cigarette. Just after, we see an exchange between Sister Aloysius and Sister James, wherein the young and innocent Sister James (who by the way did not go to Sister Aloysius with this matter because Father Flynn was being attentive to Donald, but because Donald had returned from a visit with Father Flynn upset, disoriented and with alcohol on his breath) just cannot believe Sister Aloysius' outrageous allegation that the student she had just sent home with the bloodly nose probably induced the nosebleed purposely just to get out of school early. Yet we watched that student as he left school and we know that what Sister Aloysius said about him isn't outrageous. It's true. So later, when Sister James does not want to believe Sister Aloysius' conclusions about the priest, we know they are true. And the doubts expressed by Sister Aloysius at the end of the film are not about the priest. They are about a church she had invested her life in, that has looked the other way when children were in peril, and put a predator in yet another place where he could go after more children.
Just had to add my two cents here, as I think Ms. Fennessy's summary is completely off-target.
As for the film itself, this is an actor's showcase that contains three riveting sequences, two between the school principal and the priest, and one between the principal and the mother of the young victim. Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman are arresting, as is Viola Davis, the boy's mother. The story itself is rich with an uncliched take on a difficult, much analyzed and discussed problem. The film is an intense character study and should not be missed.