Review of Doubt (2003) by Robert D — 08 Feb 2012

I'm surprised that more critics did not praise this film; it's one of those films that you expect them to go crazy over.

Streep plays a nun, Sister Aloysius, who is principal of Bronx Catholic High School and runs it in an authoritarian manner, following traditional nun practice. Sister James (Adams) plays a naive and innocent nun, who has suspicions about Father Flynn (Hoffman) after witnessing some fishy things. After Sister James reveals her doubts to Sister Aloysius, Streep's character believes that Flynn is guilty of James' suspicions. However, is Flynn guilty? Or is it that Aloysius' motivation to get rid of James is because of his more liberal stance on the church and breaking away from Aloysius' precious tradition.

It's an actor's movie, as they call it. Reading up about Doubt, I found that it's based on a play and it's very obvious that it is. The art direction is very uni-tonal, almost as if Shanley decided to adopt a play's stage direction. The scenes take place in a single location. There isn't very much action or movement within the film itself. It's very static and doesn't rev up any tension that the script demands. But this is a minor complaint because this plays second to what really matters in Doubt.

Though Shanley lacks directorial exuberance, he knows how to write a compelling story and how to direct actors.

Doubt's story is the driving force. Though most people would say it's the actors, I feel the actors do a wonderful job at bringing the writing to life. Shanley's story brings about great drama and tension, while also questioning that morality of the characters. The story itself, I find, rides the popularity of the amount of priests that were in the news about molestation charges. This was quite a hot topic then--still is (sort of). The writing itself is taut. Doubt doesn't care much for metaphorical prose, it gets to the of core story and stays there.

The acting is a bonus. The exchanges between Hoffman and Streep are so lively and even exhilarating. Every time they meet onscreen you know you're in for class acting. Adams has really found a niche for the naive, innocent type of characters she plays. She kind of exudes that in real life as well. And Viola Davis and Meryl Streep face-to-face is quite a force.

The story is engrossing, the way the movie progresses enthralls, the acting is top-notch, but it's presentation is dull. IT.