Review of Doubt (2008) by Sam C — 10 Jun 2012

Doubt played out in ways that I didn't imagine it to. One can look at the trailer and get the sense that this was originally a staged play. A play that I would actually like to see. That being said, the entire weight of the film is resting on the backs of the dialogue-driven characters, which includes amazing performances by Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams. Oh, and Viola Davis, for that one scene she was in.

I found the pacing of the film to be a little off. There were times where conversations were escalating, only to be interrupted by some vain attempt at humor (the light bulb going out, for instance(unless, of course, if that was some form of symbolism)). Like I said earlier, the acting is what Doubt is all about. Streep plays one mean old-timer of a bitch who is on a mission, and, in my opinion, should have won the Academy Award, not the lackluster Penelope Cruz. Hoffman pays one of the coolest pastors around, and I would have loved to befriended this character . . . if I knew that he wouldn't diddle me. One scene that sticks out in my head was when Hoffman and the other men of the church are sitting at the dinner table, sipping fine drink and telling jokes, with high soaring giggles roaring from their over-stuffed bellies, which then transitions to the sister's table, where everyone is sitting as still as a statue, trying to make as little noise as possible as to not upset Sister Meryl Streep. Amy Adams is just too innocent.

I enjoyed the musical score, but, then again, who wouldn't, as maestro Howard Shore was on the job. Roger Deakins performs some amazing cinematography here, and, well, I thought the dutch angles were cool. Whenever I see John Papp I'm going to tilt my head so he will forever be at a dutch angle in my eyes.

I rather enjoyed the ending. Sure, it was a nasty trick, but I think it truly goes to show that Hoffman's character did do those nasty little things, even at past churches. The ending conversation between Meryl Streep and Amy Adams is what really stuck out to me in this movie. When Streep hunches over, crying, confessing that she is having doubts, well that really struck a chord in me. I am not religious in any way, but I still find it crushing when someone, especially as devoted as she is, starts to question, or even loose their faith, that one familiar thing that has always been in their life. I really enjoyed this movie, and I would like to give it a higher rating, but there was something . . . just something that didn't sit with me right. Meh, I'll have to toss it around in my head some more before I come to a final conclusion.