Review of Doubt (2008) by Robert H — 27 Jul 2014

If there ever was a film to make you think seriously about your beliefs, this is the one. DOUBT is a powerhouse of acting talent that tackles issues of faith, certainty and truth head on, and holds the audience responsible for drawing their own conclusions.

The story takes place in 1964, at a Catholic school run by Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep): a firm disciplinarian who is very conservative and quick to make judgments based on little to no evidence other than her suspicions.

Philip Seymour Hoffman is Father Flynn, who is new to the parish and is more progressive, open-minded and more embracing of life's uncertainties. Amy Adams is Sister James, a young nun who caught between these two people.

The catalyst for the plot is the suspicion that Father Flynn may or may not have been improper with the school's only black student. From this comes a battle of wits between Sister Aloysius and Father Flynn, as she accuses the Father of impropriety based on little evidence, and the Father using the ambiguity to his advantage.

Despite being dialogue-driven, this is very riveting material and I hung on every word that came out of these thespians' mouths. I also like the way in which things are kept ambiguous, because in real life answers are often hard to come by and sometimes we make decisions based on gut feelings or premonitions, rather than concrete evidence.

The film also puts front and center the crisis of faith, and whether or not it is rational (or right) to make heavy decisions based on faith alone. Is doubt permissible in religion, or in a system where one normally takes things on authority? The film raises all of these questions and more, even touching on what has become a well-publicized scandal in the Catholic church: that of sex abuse and pedophilia in the priesthood (although it is only addressed rather obliquely, given the PG-13 rating).

Bottom line, if you like to think after watching a movie, and not have it think for you, then this should be right up your alley. Awards-caliber performances and an incredible script make this a must-see.