Review of Doubt (2003) by Sarah G — 26 Sep 2010

It?s a sin when a script that?s miraculous on stage turns out slightly less so when committed to celluloid. The movie version of Doubt is a phenomenal power struggle blessed by some of our best actors. However, after seeing two phenomenal theatrical productions, I believe playwright-turned-director John Patrick Shanley (Joe Versus the Volcano) did himself a disservice with this movie version. It?s as though Shanley finds his own Pulitzer Prize-winning characters less interesting than weird camera angles and static shots of stained glass.

Meryl Streep plays Sister Aloysius, a mother superior with a superiority complex running a Catholic elementary in the early 1960s. After she sees new priest Philip Seymour Hoffman bond with her school?s only black student, she?s sure there?s something devilish afoot. Streep tries to enlist the help of an innocent novice nun (Amy Adams) and the boy?s mother (Viola Davis) to oust the priest.

However, this isn?t just a tale ripped from recent headlines. Hoffman?s guilt is not obvious, and Sister Streep seems a bit fanatical. Thus starts a battle of the wills that sometimes drifts from human connection into theological musing and verbal sparring. Sadly, Shanley?s distracting directing and editing works against his great script and A-list cast.

Still, Doubt boasts some heavenly actors at the top of their form. Davis? scene with Streep especially transcends Shanley?s small offenses, faithfully capturing the glory of his Tony-awarded play.