Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Movie Review - Doubt

A Catholic school in New York shortly after the Kennedy assassination is the setting for a clash of wills between a priest trying to bring change to the church and a nun set on maintaining traditional discipline at any cost in this riveting film. Written and directed by John Patrick Shanley from his play, the movie's stage origins are obvious with few attempts to open up the action for the big screen. It's just as well, since the conflicts here lend themselves to intimate settings where it's all about how these characters talk to each other. Who needs exteriors when you've got actors of this caliber bouncing off each other behind closed doors. Meryl Streep stars as Sister Aloysius, the nun who's principal of the school with Philip Seymour Hoffman as Father Flynn, a priest with cryptic sermons. His fresh ideas about how to relate to students put him on a collision course with the strict nun. Further complicating matters is Sister James (Amy Adams) whose heartfelt but naive attempts to take the right moral stand inadvertently create an explosive situation. When she observes Donald Miller (Joseph Foster), an altar boy who's the only black student in the school, acting strangely in class after being called to the rectory by the priest, a dangerous game of speculation begins with Sister Aloysius becoming convinced of assumptions that will put Father Flynn's job and reputation on the line.

"Doubt" is full of great lines and some good laughs, with lots of meat on its bones about how flexible or inflexible morals should be. This movie would be a good companion piece to the equally engaging "The History Boys" (also adapted from the stage) which covers similar themes. Though Streep has the showiest role, I particularly admired Hoffman's seamless performance and was also impressed with Amy Adams in the difficult, less dramatic but pivotal role of Sister James. Perhaps the most amazing acting in the film comes from Viola Davis as Donald Miller's mother. With only two scenes and twelve minutes of screen time she is simply unforgettable and completely deserving of the many accolades coming her way from early awards groups. Like the characters on screen, the audience is left with plenty to think about, a renewed sense of human frailty and, pardon the pun, a mind full of doubt.

Things to love about this movie: The way it stays with you long after leaving the theater; a sweet and funny scene of students learning the bossa nova; two words -- Viola Davis; Hoffman's amazing transformation into this controversial priest
Things to hate in this movie: A few theatrical touches (usually involving wind, leaves or trees) that come off as a little too symbolic; a bit with an overhead light blowing out that's used twice (once was enough)
Pleasant surprises: No tidy resolution -- even if you think there is one, think some more
Unpleasant surprises: Streep hams it up just a bit at times; Davis is so awesome she should have been included in a few more scenes

2 comments:

delta mystery writer said...

As a product of the Catholic school system, having been taught by nuns who could have been models for Sister Aloysius and Sister James, I found it hard to believe that Sister Aloysius would have confronted Father Flynn, no matter what the provocation.

I agree that the performances by Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Philip Seymour Hoffman and especially Viola Davis were all excellent. For me, the film's undoing was the very final scene when Sister Aloysius breaks down and admits to doubt. For me, the doubts that torment Father Flynn and Sister James are understandable, but it did not ring true to me that Sister Aloysius would question her motives or her beliefs.

Idaho Girl said...

Thanks for your comments on "Doubt". I'm not Catholic, so it's interesting to get that particular perspective, things that would never occur to me. I think your point about Sister Aloysius questioning her beliefs is well taken.