Doubt Review

Doubt (2008)

4/4

A masterpiece which brinks upon the most simple sin...Lies. An all star cast that John Patrick Shanley used to motivate a stage play featuring religious backgrounds and honesty. Since I have gotten into films, Meryl Streep has been that person who always wows me everytime shes on screen. She was the reason why I took a chance on it. Not the oscar nominations, not Amy Adams, nor religion but Mery Streep. And needless to say. She made this film more amazing then anyone could have.

The plot follows Father Flynn(Phillip Seymour) who begins a sermon talking about doubt. From there, you are introduced to Sister James(Adams) and Sister Aloysuis(Streep). James is the quiet and innocent nun while Aloysuis is the dark and strict nun. Two different personalities that starts to question Father Flynn when they expect foul play. What foul play? Well they expect that Flynn made advances on Donald Miller(Joseph Foster). Sounds like a cheapshot to the already heated stereotype about priests sexually abusing altar boys. The whole plot is surround those four characters. Donald is caught drinking altar wine and Flynn who is sympathetic tries to hide it. That is where the lies and doubts come in.

The film goes on giving a feel to how each character is. It actually becomes a stepping stone to personalize its characters. Donald Miller returns with an odd expression giving Sister James a odd fealing. Consulting with Aloysuis, they plan to settle it by talking to Father Flynn. Quite simple until they go to far and the reputation of Flynn starts to dissolve. From there, Flynn tries to clarify, Aloysuis is trying to convict Flynn, while James is turning evil. So everybody is hell bent and with no other answer, they devour each other until one have doubts.

The performances of the main cast was amazing. Seymour and Streep doesnt suprise me. But Amy Adams and Viola Davis who protrayed Donalds Mother were darkhorses to Streeps dominance. That was the first time I took Amy serious. The first time I recognized Viola Davis. Their impressions were good and served them well as they were nominated for oscars.

I absolutely loved this film. Its performances along with its strict suspense following wrong doing is simply amazing. I watched without walking out or checking my watch. I watched with curiosity. Its controversy can upset others but to me, its dark tone and iffy mood made this all the more exciting. It takes more then star power to win me over. The characters, the story, and the message brings this film to the top ten of 2008. It is one of the best films for that year. It undoubtly deserves so.

Filled with twists, lies, and anger, it never falls through as some cheap film made to criticize church officials but to examine it. To note that we all have our doubts. Without evidence, thats all we really have. Sometimes the truth is spoken and lies are placed by judgement. To ones first impression becomes their obsession. All elements presented into this film that made me love it. A thrilling film that doesnt need explosions. All it needs is Meryl Streep and a script devoted to human values.