Movie Review: Doubt
Edward J. Kidney
Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: Arts and Entertainment
I saw this good movie the other day called "Doubt." I liked it so much that I decided to do a review on it.
Nominated for five Academy Awards, "Doubt" is definitely one of those movies that simply grabs you. Set on the grounds of your local Catholic church and school in the mid-sixties, it tells the tale of a sad, progressive, cigarette smoking priest named Father Flynn (Phillip Seymour Hoffman), persecuted by Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Meryl Streep) for her unwarranted suspicion of foul play. Beauvier embodies the traditional, disciplinarian mentality where Flynn is just the opposite. Beauvier hates Flynn's progressive style and thus goes out of her way to accuse Flynn of taking advantage of Donald Miller (Joseph Foster), the sole black student in the school. The rest of the movie documents the ensuing drama.
The best part of the movie perhaps is that we don't know if Flynn is guilty of the accusations placed before him or not. Beauvier's absolute certainty of his guilt is based solely upon her own prejudice and arrogance. Flynn comes off as a kind-hearted, gentle man who genuinely cares about the students of his school, but there are still small incidents here and there that leave us in suspicion of his true character. The movie truly lives up to its name.
Powerful scenes permeate the entire film from beginning to end. The acting is above excellent. Hoffman and Streep's ability to inhabit the characters they play is almost scary, not to mention stellar performances given by Sister James (Amy Adams) and Mrs. Miller (Viola Davis). All nominated for Oscars, these performances will be remembered for a long time to come.
Screenwriter and Director John Patrick Shanley, who was also the writer of the original Tony Award winning play by the same name, impresses many with his first directorial performance since "Joe Versus the Volcano" (1990). "Doubt" delivers on every level. Some who crave resolution may not like the open-ended conclusion, but in my opinion it's the icing on the cake. "Doubt" does what it sets out to do - it makes people Doubt. This is why my dad and I can't stop arguing right now. See the movie and you'll know what I'm talking about…
Rating: A
Nominated for five Academy Awards, "Doubt" is definitely one of those movies that simply grabs you. Set on the grounds of your local Catholic church and school in the mid-sixties, it tells the tale of a sad, progressive, cigarette smoking priest named Father Flynn (Phillip Seymour Hoffman), persecuted by Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Meryl Streep) for her unwarranted suspicion of foul play. Beauvier embodies the traditional, disciplinarian mentality where Flynn is just the opposite. Beauvier hates Flynn's progressive style and thus goes out of her way to accuse Flynn of taking advantage of Donald Miller (Joseph Foster), the sole black student in the school. The rest of the movie documents the ensuing drama.
The best part of the movie perhaps is that we don't know if Flynn is guilty of the accusations placed before him or not. Beauvier's absolute certainty of his guilt is based solely upon her own prejudice and arrogance. Flynn comes off as a kind-hearted, gentle man who genuinely cares about the students of his school, but there are still small incidents here and there that leave us in suspicion of his true character. The movie truly lives up to its name.
Powerful scenes permeate the entire film from beginning to end. The acting is above excellent. Hoffman and Streep's ability to inhabit the characters they play is almost scary, not to mention stellar performances given by Sister James (Amy Adams) and Mrs. Miller (Viola Davis). All nominated for Oscars, these performances will be remembered for a long time to come.
Screenwriter and Director John Patrick Shanley, who was also the writer of the original Tony Award winning play by the same name, impresses many with his first directorial performance since "Joe Versus the Volcano" (1990). "Doubt" delivers on every level. Some who crave resolution may not like the open-ended conclusion, but in my opinion it's the icing on the cake. "Doubt" does what it sets out to do - it makes people Doubt. This is why my dad and I can't stop arguing right now. See the movie and you'll know what I'm talking about…
Rating: A
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