Review of Spotlight (2015) by Ydnar4 — 25 Dec 2015

Spotlight is one of the most interesting films of 2015. Spotlight is a film that has gone somewhat under the radar so far but will surely gain some attention around Oscar time. This may even be a potential Best Picture film. The cast in Spotlight will be what draws you in. With stars like Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton and Rachel McAdams involved its hard to ignore. Spotlight is the story of a Boston Globe crew who looks to uncover the cases of child abuse by the catholic priests. For a film that deals with such heavy subject matter it does very little to boast itself up. The crew of reporters are merely doing their job so they really do not get over dramatic or really appear to be telling a biased story.

Tom McCarthy has just made a complete 180 with this movie. It has only been a year since the Cobbler, one of my personal least favorite films of all time let alone the year. He redeems himself with this true treasure. I love a good comeback.

Now the cast is excellent although there is really not any that truly stand out. The ensemble really works well for this story, but I'll be shocked if we see Oscar nominations for these actors because there is no one who really takes the lead. Mark Ruffalo has truly done everything this year. He's been comedic with Infinitely Polar Bear. He's been a box office draw with Avengers: Age of Ultron and he may be the only actor in the film that gets Oscar consideration. To me he was the stand out. Michael Keaton shows that his comeback role in Birdman was no fluke. Not only is Keaton back but he is better than ever. Then you have Rachel McAdams who shows some dramatic chops and it seems like she becomes more and more dependable as her career continues. Liev Schreiber plays the new editor for the Boston Globe and I thought he was excellent. I can only wish that he had a heavier involvement because I think that it was the best that I have ever seen from him.

Spotlight is a film that needed to be made and now the world just needs to realise that it needs to watch it.