Doubt, written and directed by John Patrick Shanley, is a powerful drama set at a 1964 Catholic School in the Bronx. The story revolves around a nun who accuses a priest of having an inappropriate relationship with the schools only black male student. With emotional performances from the entire ensemble cast and a great screenplay adapted from the director’s own award winning stage play, Doubt, makes for one of the best dramas of the year.
I could see Doubt being nominated in several acting categories with a good chance at the SAG ensemble cast award. Meryl Streep, who plays Sister Aloysius Beauvier is the strict principal who terrifies all the children, she even makes her fellow nuns uncomfortable while they are alone in the convent eating dinner. I couldn’t imagine any other actress portraying this role, as Streep really shows why she is one of the best actresses of our generation. There are moments when she is so intimidating to the people around her that it is almost funny and makes for some comic relief for a very serious story. She plays a nun, but is so scary she comes across as almost an evil character with a performance that will be sure to send shivers down your spine. Then there’s Phillip Seymour Hoffman who plays Father Brendan Flynn, who is trying to overturn the school’s strict customs and takes a personal liking to the schools only black student Donald Miller, played by Joseph Foster. From his powerful sermons, to his playful nature with the young children, PSH towers above his role like always. He is one of my favorite actors of all time and he seems to have a t least one great performance each year. There is one scene in particular that stands out, when Streep and Hoffman go toe-to-toe screaming in each other’s faces with tears in their eyes. It’s amazing to see these two acting heavyweights going at it.
Then in the smaller supporting roles there is Amy Adams, who plays the innocent Sister James. She is the young sweet nun who is very naive in comparison to Sister Aloysius. She is forced by guilt into believing that father Flynn has done something inappropriate with Donald Miller and is back and forth whether she believes him or not the entire film. She plays a key character to the plot and I really enjoyed her presence throughout the film. Finally there’s Viola Davis, who plays Mrs. Miller. She really only has one scene where she has a conference with Sister Aloysius but she bring s huge emotional impact to the film. It’s not easy to steal a scene from Meryl Streep and she does just that, while pouring her heart out and defending her son she releases every fluid from her face. While the snot and tears drip out she is convincing in how much she really loves her son and wants the best for him.
The film as a whole is very short and flew by, but that’s not a bad thing. It flowed very well unlike any Church Mass you’ve probably ever been to. It brings up many themes of religion and morality while still telling an interesting dramatic story. I credit this accomplishment to the screenwriter/director Mr., Shanley who bring his play to life supported by fantastic actors.
It also helps to have a legend behind the lens, Mr. Rodger Deakins who always bring a crisp high-quality look to a film is at it again. He is the master of the Dutch tilt as he commonly tilts his camera angles in the film to bring the feeling of uneasiness, and it works here. There is one scene that stood out in my mind where Deakins shot hundreds of feathers falling from the Bronx rooftops; it was really a great shot to look at.
NO “DOUBT” ABOUT IT.
Imdb: 8.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 62%
Moviewiseguys: 8.5/10
STAMP IT.
