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In 1964 a Catholic elementary school has just admitted its first Black student, a 12-year-old boy transferred from public school. The principal, a rigid disciplinarian nun, and the liberal parish priest are both concerned for the boy's welfare in a predominantly Irish/Italian school. The nun Meryl Streep becomes convinced that the priest has (or is planning to have) an improper relationship with the child and is determined to force him to leave the school. Not only was the relationship improper, but it was still illegal, yet much harder to prove since various stigmas are attached to such behavior. A third compassionate person is the boy's mother, who has another point of view. The fourth person is Sister James (Amy Adams), a young teacher who is concerned but confused by the conflict between the nun and the priest. Phillip Seymour Hoffman effectively keeps us guessing as to the honesty and integrity of the character he is now playing. He never tips his hat one way or the other as to what might be going on in his own head. Amy Adams makes a compelling stand-in for those of us in the audience who are trying to reserve judgment on these two characters before all the facts are revealed. Special notice needs to be given about the role of Mrs. Miller (Viola Davis) who adamantly opposes any confrontation as the bad intentions of Father Flynn and her son. Her performance is brief yet unforgettable. The unsettling news that her son may have been the victim of a sexual predator seems to chill her to the bone. Although Natalie Portman declined the role of Sister James, Amy Adams was a real breath of fresh air. She is not overly reserved, yet not too bashful either. I think Adams was chosen for this role predominately due to her innocent portrayal of Sister James. When I looked at her, I happen to see the most innocent person possible. But in addition to her reserve, she is also very poised in a cute way. I think I had to add the cute because this is something we usually use to describe only children who are innocent. However, Adams is a young lady who also appears very innocent, which is why I thought the calling her cute here is way necessary. The director allows the viewer to make up his own mind as to whether the supposed event actually ever happened or not. In the end, it was the lying sister that brought the priest down to his knees. She lies about the phone calls inquiring into his other past positions within the church and plays it close to the cuff, insinuating that she knows why he has quickly been swished away to another position to keep things hush-hush. She holds her composure and bluffs her way into her own version of the truth, yet lying to get to truth is the worst lie, in my opinion. We have to assume that he is indeed guilty, since the entire film is centered around the subject of the the film. Just as he did with the play, John Patrick Shanley, the playwright, only told the actor who played Father Flynn whether or not Flynn was guilty. None of the other actors knew. A funny note on the subject of parts is that both Meryl Streep and Amy Adams played nuns in this film, but the two actresses had also played less celibate characters in previous movies. Amy Adams' character had three boyfriends in Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008), as did Meryl Streep's in Mamma Mia! (2008). After "Doubt", Meryl Streep reunited with Amy Adams in Julie & Julia again in 2009. This film gets 4/5 from me because its editing & conciseness.Read full review
An emotional exploration of moral questioning. Doubt (2008) is a phenomenal drama about faith, love, and morality. Writer and director John Patrick Shanley gives a thoughtful perspective into the mindset of kindly priests and persistent nuns. You see the morality and ethics of the Catholic church brought into question as to how do you accuse someone of a wrong without proof. It is a shining example of an engaging drama that ponders certainty and doubt. The theme of doubt is intriguing in Doubt as the film is left open ended with each accusatory scene remaining ambiguous. Doubt thrives on the audience wondering what is true, who is lying, or is someone even lying. The doubt the characters feel and experience is reflected upon the viewer. I never felt confused, but rather stimulated by the inquiry of questions posed. You get to decide what is the truth or if that was even the point as Doubt can also be viewed as a character study of three religious figures. An innocent fresh faced nun, a strictly regressive nun, and a kindly progressive priest. You witness their lives and how they juxtapose each other, so you decide what matters in Doubt. Howard Shore's score is lovely as it rises with the conflict and tense circumstances of the climactic sequences. Shore builds upon the haze of facts and opinions with his volatile score in a symphony of sounds. The flurry of a dark undertone lines Doubt with an uneasy atmosphere. Roger Deakins' cinematography is gorgeous as every scene is photographed with a clean precision. There are several Dutch angles to keep you out of your comfort spaces. The wide shots outside of the church are so cold and uninviting like the dismal nuns. The frightened children are captured by delicate close ups as the nervous adults are captivating in their close ups. Shanley's direction is steadfast and stunning as you feel the suspense building with each scene. The verbal confrontations are as exciting and entrancing as any action scene of drama. Doubt is a success of tender subtle acting with its fantastic cast. Philip Seymour Hoffman gives my favorite performance from him as Father Brendan Flynn. His Father Flynn feels sympathetic and frustrated with righteous indignation at the accusations made against him. Hoffman is so brilliant as he plays every single scene with an ambiguous duality that could exonerate or condemn him for each occurrence. Hoffman somehow managed to play Father Flynn as simultaneously nice and suspicious. Similarly, Meryl Streep is outstanding as the nun Sister Aloysius Beauvier. Her strict toughness reveals a rigid fanaticism to her character. Her nun is so raving mad and often needlessly cruel and intolerant that her hard questions are easy to doubt. That is the point though. Streep portrays a woman that cannot accept a scenario in which she is wrong. She pulls off Sister Beauvier with a calm impression with her facial and vocal sternness. Streep convinces you of Sister Beauvier's certainty with her intuition and lack of hesitation. Next, Amy Adams is wondrous as the sweet and innocent new nun named Sister James. Adams delivers in her performance with a display of tender kindness and understanding with a willingness to believe in the good in people. Her genuine goodness is never in question as Amy Adams makes you believe in her decency. However, Adams is so skilled that she gives Sister James a gentle naivety that could give way to the potential crimes and cover-up of Father Flynn. She allows that Father Flynn could be guilty, but leaves with a sense of his likely innocence and empathy. I love Amy Adams in Doubt as she captivates you with her purity and delights you with her distress. As all three of Doubt's leads entertain me thoroughly, the supporting actress Viola Davis really surprised me as well. Davis makes the maybe victimized boy's past and home life apparent with a single conversation. Viola Davis makes herself a talent to watch thanks to her nervous portrayal of a desperate mother in Doubt. Overall, Doubt is one of the greatest films ever made. It is a gripping drama and an entertaining inquisition of priestly conduct. Shanley's direction is mindful, while Deakins' cinematography is immaculate. I would recommend Doubt for any viewer of any faith as it is more a think piece on justice and morality than a faith based drama.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
The movie has great actors but the subject matter is uncomfortable. Engaging and thought provoking.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Movie definitly wont be enjoyable by kids or people that get bored easy as I found out. Great acting in movie, not over the top, well done. Very slow but can be emotional for some. Again no action or mystery in this movie just suspense and drama.
GREAT STORY, PERFECTLY ACTED. ADD THIS ONE TO YOUR DVD COLLECTION FOR SURE!!! YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW MERYL STREEP PLAYED THIS ROLE AS WELL AS BEING SO VIVACIOUS IN MAMA MIA......GREAT ACTING.
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