Review of Doubt (2008) by Blake D — 13 Jan 2011

Doubt, a story starring Meryl Streep, Phillip Seamore Hoffman, and at the time newcomer Amy Adams, tells the tale of a Reverend and a nun conflicting over the suggestion that the reverend has had inappropriate relations with one of the altar boys. The film is adapted from the stage play, and the theatrical elements are highly visible. The scenes in the film tend to be longer and the setting doesn't change very much, both things very telling of its theatrical origin. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, especially for a theatre major like myself, it certainly stands out from most movies.

In addition to a somewhat off feel gotten from the obvious theatricality of the piece, the pacing isn't consistent. Especially in the beginning, things move very slowly. While this builds a nice feeling of tension, especially if you've already seen it at least once, it can leave some viewers feeling somewhat disinterested.

Despite the slow start, the film has numerous shining moments. Streep, Hoffman, Adams, and Viola Davis all give stunning performances, and the electricity crackles during the confrontations between Hoffman and Streep. The force of these amazing performers going toe to toe will glue you to your seat.

The film also boasts numerous technical elements. The music is nice and the use of wind is brilliant, if not a bit heavy-handed at times. However, the true strength of the movie is in its performances, and they alone would be enough to warrant a viewing. All the rest is bonus.

Overall, Doubt is at times an imperfect movie, but it makes up for it with perfect acting. Watching these actors on screen is like a master class in the art of performing, and the conflicts are so intense that any lull in the pace at the beginning is rectified. Doubt is definitely worth watching.