Doubt

Synopsis

This emotionally electric movie is the story about a strong-willed nun (Meryl Streep) who accuses an affectionate, hopeful priest (Philip Seymour Hoffman) of misconduct in their school, despite not having an ounce of proof to confirm her suspicions. The tension is thick in this riveting adaption of the play of the same name.

Review

Doubt didn’t have any special effects or trickery to entice viewers in any way. It didn’t need anything but what it already had – phenomenal actors, great dialogue and very intense scenes. Oh my word, should some golden statues be given out to this cast! The tension in this flick is thick, people, and I’m sure many of you will have a good time watching it unfold.

Here’s the grit of the story. It’s 1964 in the Bronx at St. Nicholas and Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep) is the Principal of a Catholic elementary school. Sista Aloysius cracks her whip of discipline, power and fear in every classroom as the hopeful priest, Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) believes that now is the time for changing some of the rigid rules enforced throughout the school. Sister Aloysius isn’t feeling Father Flynn's new ideas for change, which of course means they’re bumping heads all the time.

Sister Aloysius wants her nuns to be alert about matters in the school and to speak up if anything isn’t right. Well, timid and naïve Sister James (Amy Adams, Junebug) tells her that Father Flynn called for her student (and altar boy) Donald Miller (Joseph Foster Twelve and Holding) to the rectory and when he returned, something just wasn’t right.

Oh no no no.

There is no need to be calling the boy out of his History class to go to the rectory. Sounds kind of stank to me too. It doesn’t sound good to Sister Aloysius, either., but, she doesn’t seem surprised at all and pretty much says, “So it happened.” Now it’s time for her to cramp his style, even though Sister James believes that Father Flynn has done no wrong doing. Mmmm hmmm. Sister Aloysius doesn’t hold back when she confronts Father Flynn, who is very upset by her accusations. There’s not a shred of proof, but all Sister needs is her “certainty.”

From that point on, Aloysius and Flynn go at it – and the scenes between them are grrrriiiipping. People this is a dialogue movie, and the thunder is BROUGHT. I just sat and wondered what was next. Did I have any doubt whether or not Father was guilty of trying to do the naughty thang with the boy? No I did not, but that doesn’t mean I’m right. The movie definitely has you questioning what the truth is, especially because Father Flynn is SO nice. We expect Streep and Hoffman to be the consummate professionals that they are, and of course, they deliver superior performances as expected. Many of the scenes with Streep, Adams and Hoffman were like watching some type of boxing match, except they use words, tears and physical stances. It truly seemed like a competitive sparring match. I call it the Battle of Wits and Words match.

Donald’s mother, Mrs. Miller (Viola Davis, Disturbia) is added to the mix and shares one of the best scenes that I’ve seen in a while. Davis delivers a brand new, heart-about-to-break performance that I know she’ll get acclaim for. Her part is short, but it’s compelling and key to the story’s tension. Mmm mmm mmm this movie will have you feeling like your pressing your ear against the wall to hear the neighbors fight.

Check out the trailer for this one—it’s good at setting up the premise. You’ll see some of what I’m saying. Just know, the movie is so much better. This film is adapted from the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play of the same name by John Patrick Shanley. This man is no joke. He wrote and directed the movie too.

Would I be wrong to say, “Control freak?” Yes, that’s wrong of me.

Hey, I can’t much blame him. He had his vision for how he wanted this movie to be done. I’m sure he doesn’t want anyone else messing with his baby. Plus, he won the Academy Award for Best Screenplay way back in 1988 for Moonstruck, so he’s got some credentials to do the writer/director thang.

Anyhoo, I have no doubt this flick will be a contender for many awards, and you should go see it. It may not be an action film, but don’t let the nuns and priests fool you—these folks are coming with some FIRE that makes this an easy choice for movie night.

My Rating ~ 4 Reels

Audience Rating (What's Yours?)