Doubt

a formal review.

(2008) Trust. Discipline. Grace. Deception. Truth.  A place of certainty becomes an epithet of doubt. John Patrick Shanley, widely known for his Oscar award-winning screenplay of “Moonstruck”, is a playwright by trade. Luckily for us, he joined producer, Scott Rudin, to bring another play to the big screen with “Doubt”. Meryl Streep, whose notable performances and nominations are too many to list, and Philip Seymour Hoffman, a great chameleon actor whose roles range from “Mission Impossible III” to “Capote”, are the pillars of this film. Supporting this movie are Amy Adams, recently from “Enchanted” and Viola Davis, often in smaller metaphorical screen roles (her words paraphrased). Davis is also a stage actor and played the lead character’s mother in “Antwone Fisher”. Shanley and his actors tackle a relevant but difficult subject matter. Even though the theme may make us uncomfortable, it is addressed in an intellectual way perhaps making it more digestible.

The story is set in the year after JFK’s death and takes place in a Bronx Catholic parish and school where Father Flannigan (Hoffman) and Sister Aloysius (Streep) have conflicting leadership styles. Sister Aloysius rules with a hard hand contrary to Father Flannigan’s more gracious approach. A series of suspicious events unfold that make the audience unsure about the intentions and perceptions of our main characters. Both Father Flannigan and Sister Aloysius come to the crossroads of making a difficult decision. When children are involved, quarrels tend to get messy and that makes the actions and words of Sister Aloysius, Sister James (Adams), and Mrs. Mitchell (Davis) even more costly. The majority of the scenes take place in the school’s complex giving us an outlook of the unique dynamic between students, teachers and priests. Acceptance, power, and reputation play a huge role in this film. 

If for nothing else, scenes between Streep and Hoffman are comprised of exemplary acting and deserve to be watched. The same can be said about the scene between Meryl Streep and Viola Davis walking through the concrete park nestled between buildings. This director distinguished great shots of simple things, a relatively simpler time, and of not so simple characters really well. A daunting soundtrack topped it off. According to a former professor of mine, plays rely more strongly on words and concepts than they do on the time and space that film creates.  Although adaptations sometimes struggle to be translated, the themes that this director creates are notably crafted.  Shanley does not shy away from sensitive topics regarding children and/or the Catholic Church as the PG-13 rating may suggest of this 2 hour film. During times of uncertainty, some disregard the hard questions and others face them with the courage and fear of their souls. How do you know that you’re really sure about something that no one else quite believes including a little piece of you? This contemplative movie will make you change your mind again and again. 

image: Copyright by Miramax Films and other respective production studios and distributors.

(C) Copyright 2009

Comments

[Regina Milton]

This review has piqued my interest and I may just take the plunge and invest in a Netflix account so that I can watch this and other movies in the comfort of my own home. I love my couch because it affords me the opportunity to shout at bad acting and cry (unashamed) when the good stuff is on.

[Casey Elle]

You absolutely have to see the acting of Viola Davis. She's a star! She came to one of my classes to speak and I was in awe.