Doubt

(2008)

Directed by

John Patrick Shanley

Review by Terry Plucknett

“Doubt can be as strong a bond as certainty.”  This quote proves to be true in this play adaptation by John Patrick Shanley about a Catholic school and those that run it.

Meryl Streep is amazing (as always) as Sister Aloysius, a nun who is principal of St. Nicholas school in 1964.  She seems to be very suspicious of their new priest, Father Flynn, played brilliantly (as always) by Philip Seymour Hoffman.  She tells the other nuns to be on alert for anything that might be happening, the youngest and most naïve of these is Sister James (Amy Adams).  A simple observation by Sister James of Father Flynn taking a special interest in the school’s first African-American student, including private meetings during the school day, gives Sister Aloysius’s suspicions some fuel as she confronts the priest and accuses him of foul play with the young boy.  The struggle that ensues between Father Flynn and Sister Aloysius for control of the school and church becomes the focus of the film, with Sister James torn on which side to take.

This film is carried primarily on performances, with the three leads showing tremendous chemistry and giving three of the stronger performances of the year.  Without these strong performances, the film would be mediocre.  With them, it becomes insightful and fascinating.  Meryl Streep shows once again that she is one of the best actresses ever with another performance of a strong character that also shows a sense of vulnerability when it is proper.  As for Philip Seymour Hoffman, Richard Roeper said one time, “There should be a role in every film for Philip Seymour Hoffman.”  Doubt once again shows why.  He makes every film he is in better simply by showing up.  He does not know how to give a mediocre performance, and this is no exception.  He so embodies every character he plays that he is no longer acting, he simply is.  You would think with these two Oscar winners on screen, there wouldn’t be much room for anyone else, but the real star of this film turns out to be Amy Adams as the young, honest Sister James.  Every time she appears on screen your eyes are fixated on her.  She does what you would think would be impossible, stealing scenes from both Hoffman and Streep.  However, the performance getting all the Oscar buzz is Viola Davis, playing the young boy’s mother.  Although she has one powerful scene, that is all she has.  She is good, but she only a short 5 minute scene, then is never seen again.  Amy Adams is much better for a longer period of time.

The script was solid, but had its shortcomings here and there.  The set was simple, which was indicative of its origins on the stage.  Overall, it was a fairly good movie that was made great by the brilliant performances from the three lead characters.

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