00s Movie Review - Doubt

Director: John Patrick Shanley
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 104 minutes
Year: 2008
Starring: Mery Streep, Amy Adams, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Viola Davis
 
Description: A catholic school principal (Meryl Streep) questions a priest’s (Philip Seymour Hoffman) ambiguous relationship with a troubled young student.  

Review: Without doubt, there is no faith. The historical setting of “Doubt” underscores that wisdom: major social changes are afoot in America’s early 1960s, but the film deals with a more fundamental uncertainty: holding to your faith or straying into sin to sanctify a greater purpose?

A Catholic elementary school in the Bronx, cut off from current events, welcomes new priest Brendan Flynn, who alludes to major changes within the church community with a charismatic sermon. At odds with his emancipatory ideas is principal Aloysius Beauvier who does not understand what he is talking about. Beauvier seems like a woman from days gone by, but appearances are deceptive: based on suspicion of Sister James, her young protégé, she accuses Flynn of abusing a black alter boy. Her crusade grows into a titanic struggle in which the truth, however, remains hidden. The title more than covers it.

The most pressing questios are left unanswered: why is Siter Beauvier convinced of Flynn’s guilt? Are her doubts also directed to God? What happened between Flynn and the young boy? “Doubt” keeps it all in the middle.

“Doubt” isn’t a spectacular film, it’s an acting movie, that is  made or broken by its cast. And having performers like Meryl Streep, the late Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Viola Davis in your cast, it’s definitely going to be alright.

“Doubt” addresses fundamental questions or responsibility and suspicion, but does not offer enough space for real reflection on the morality of faith. A well-acted movie.

Rating: 4/ 5