Doubt
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Movie Reviews of Doubt
Movie Review: Fascinating character study of morality and authority in the Church...
Summary: 5 Stars
John Patrick Shanley has turned his prize-winning stage drama into a cinema version that is richly flavored and expands slightly on his theme of power, corruption and moral authority in a Catholic Church during the 1960s. At the heart of the tale is a progressive-minded priest (Philip Seymour Hoffman) who is viewed as highly suspect by a tyrannical nun (Meryl Streep) who personifies all that was wrong with the strict nuns who thought that harsh discipline and humiliation was the way to rule the school classroom. The old vs. the new is what happens when these two clash.
Very unlike what happened when Hollywood first tackled the subject of old vs. new in films like GOING MY WAY and THE BELLS OF ST. MARY'S where a young priest has to cope with the unchanging steel will of a crusty old parish priest.
Here the subject matter is much more serious too, involving the suspicions of a nun eager to seize on any reason for ridding the parish of Father Flynn whom she accuses of an immoral act with a young altar boy in his charge, based on very flimsy evidence of another naive young Sister James (Amy Adams).
The story becomes a character study of these three as they confront the issues raised by the domineering Sister Aloysius (Streep) who insists on a private meeting with Flynn in which the accusations fly fast and furious. This scene is super-charged with emotion and dramatically effective--but even more striking fireworks are yet to come when we meet the mother of the boy (Viola Davis) who is brilliant in her two big scenes with Streep during which another twist is given to the tale.
To tell any more would be to spoil this for anyone not familiar with the material. Clearly, Shanley has written a very powerful drama and staged it with simplicity and truth in a way that is cinematic without losing any of its dramatic force as a play.
For the performances alone, highly recommended as a thinking man's morality play that never quite gives you the feeling that you know all the answers to the riddle presented. It's open to many interpretations, but there's no doubt about one thing--this is a stark, emotional drama and Shanley makes the transfer to screen full of cinematic magic.
Movie Review: Questions Worth Asking
Summary: 5 Stars
This subtle film earned Oscar nominations, yet failed to make much of a splash at the box office. I was intrigued by the premise of a priest suspected of impropriety with an altar boy, but also put off by this subject that's been in headlines for the past decade. My wife and I finally decided to give it a chance, and we were both blown away by the story's layers, themes, and stellar acting on the parts of all involved.
"Doubt" is not a movie to provide easy answers. It sets out to uncover our prejudices and assumptions, our rigid rules, and then upsets them with a powerful story of an accused priest and the accusing Sister of Mercy, the principal of a small school in the Bronx. Between these two opponents, played to perfection by Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep, a kind-hearted nun provides the warmth this film needs. Amy Adams is amazing in this part, bringing depth despite the restraint required in the role. Rounding out the ensemble cast, Viola Davis plays the role of the altar boy's mother with empathy, depth, and heartrending honesty.
The film opens with a sermon about doubt and its ability to strengthen. Throughout the film, our own doubts are stirred. We're made uncomfortable. We must think through our initial suspicions, realizing that many of life's situations require us to act even when we are not sure about something. How can a principal ignore the welfare of her own student? On the other hand, how can a well-meaning priest be blackmailed without any apparent evidence? These are only the first of many questions to be answered, and yet "Doubt" refuses to offer up easy explanations, instead requiring us to ponder these themes and come to our own conclusions.
I loved the uncertainties of this film. With incredible acting and sure-handed directing, "Doubt" proves that not all American films are about car chases and explosions, that not all moviegoers check out their brains as they enter the theater. The villains and heroes are not always who we expect, and even those watching this film might disagree on who filled those stereotypical roles. It's this uncertainty that makes "Doubt" so powerful.
Movie Review: Just what is doubt?
Summary: 5 Stars
Let me say it up front: Change is inevitable. The four seasons show us that. But what change? To what end? What does doubt do to the equation? Can good come from doubt?
"Doubt" depicts the troubling nature of doubt. In fact, the viewer is lead by the playwright's skillful dialog to question Sister Aloysious as a righteous destroyer. Are her doubts founded? In her best role to date as idealistic, but easily influenced Sister James, Amy Adams shows us the damaging nature of doubt and resulting gossip and outright allegations.
You see, Donald Miller is the first African American student in St. Nicholas Catholic School in Boston in 1964. Father Flynn takes a special interest in Donald because he is isolated and intimidated. The doubt begins when Sister James relates an incident--rather, pieces of an incident--about Donald's being called alone to the rectory.
Actually, the doubt begins with Sister-and-Principal Aloysious and her strict, stern, brook-no-nonsense way of running the school. One scene shows the deadly dull minimal talk at the dinner table among the nuns. The other shows the three priests in lively, hilarious conversation. Joy and community vs duty and stodginess. The contrast actually shows the viewer the extremes that can exist in a conflict and should warn as foreshadowing instead of truth.
It's an unspoken accusation that is at the center of this drama. Is Father guilty or not? The film's tone would have us believe that Sister Aloysious is on a witch hunt because she dislikes the warm, caring, and popular priest. However, as a teacher in a Catholic school where diligence training concerning sexual abuse and harrasment is a monthly event, I understand Sister Aloysious's attention to this duty. What is more important: the care of a child or the protection of a priest? There's a very fine line here and one the playwright/director walks so carefully.
Is the priest guilty? Does doubt destroy him? And Donald? As Shakespeare once showed: "All's well that ends well!" Or is it?
Movie Review: "To Be Certain In An Uncertain World" (from Writer/Director Shanley)
Summary: 5 Stars
The setting for this movie is circa 1964 at Writer/Director Shanley's school, run by the Sisters of Charity in Bronx, New York. An Order founded by famed Mother Seton, the Sisters wore widow's garb, as this was how she was dressed by friends in Italy following her husband's death, and the Sisters were too poor to afford anything else. Thus the costume became a Habit (from the DVD interview with the Sisters). The clothing itself is intimidating--dark and reminiscent of crows. The camera alights on a crow during the movie and the similarities become even more obvious. In fact, Director Shanley uses the forces of nature to underscore the evil discussed: electric light bulbs explode unexpectedly, howling winds smash branches from trees, leaves pour out of the trees and the winds practically carry Meryl Streep away.
But it is the cast and the performances of all four key characters (Streep, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Viola Davis) that is truly outstanding and which bring this disturbing drama to life. "Doubt" is about a Priest whose possible improper relationship with a particular boy is a cause of concern. What we see, what we think we believe and what we want to believe are all in question. Streep has spent a lifetime in roles for which she has been lauded as the greatest living actress. In my opinion this is one of her finest performances. She makes you hate her for her determination to get rid of this Priest when there is no certainty about what has happened. On the other hand she makes you admire her for her determination to do what she believes is right. In a changing world she refuses to change, and holds back progressive thinking. But, is she entirely wrong?
This is a thought-provoking, haunting movie (and award-winning stage play). It will linger long after the movie is over, and the surprise ending is perfect. How refreshing it is to find something so well written, acted and directed. Bravo!
Movie Review: One Of 2008's Best Films!!--And That's Saying A Lot!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Kudos to Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman,
Viola Davis & Amy Adams!!
WOW!!--This film is powerful and definitely oscar-worthy
in a year of many oscar-worthy performances.
The writing an direction are amazing as well..very well put together.
Set in a catholic church-school in 1964, a young black kid from
a low income/low self-esteem background is sent there by
his struggling mother (Viola Davis) who wants her son to
have better opportunites and a chance to dodge the evils
of his environment, but has she unknowingly
made her child jump out of the skillet and into the fire?
A fire that most people at that time found to be unimaginable!!
But we who watch with 2009 eyes know all too well that strange
things have gone on in these places that were once considered
to be beyond reproach and sacred enough that we would commit
our most precious assets (our children) to without even
a second thought!
Meryl Streep plays the stern, dogmatic and no-nonsense
Sister Superior role to the max in this, and once she senses
that something isn't right with the relationship between
the Preist (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) and the young black kid,
she is like a pitbull in her determination to get
to the bottom of things!
Amy Adams plays her role with a wide-eyed trusting
innocence until that innocence is shattered by a chance
discovery that awakens many doubts!
I don't like to give spoilers in my reviews because
I like to leave room for the ones who haven't
seen a particular film to judge for themselves.
But make no mistakes!--This is a brilliant and stirring
piece of work, a must-see and very deserving
of it's 5 Oscar Noms!
Check it out if you already haven't!!