Doubt (2008)

Studio/Production Company: Miramax Films
Director: John Patrick Stanley
Written by: John Patrick Stanley
Ratting: PG-13 for thematic material
Release Date: December 25, 2008 (theatrical)
Genre: Drama
Strong Points: Superb screen writing by John Patrick Stanley; gripping, emotional performances by one of the finest casts that can be put together.
Weak Points: None.
Technical Score: A
Artistic Score: A
Final Score (not an average): A+
Moral Warnings: Plot revolves around the uncertainty of a priest inappropriately touching a school boy; one or two brief uses of mild cursing.

Doubt is fiery, no holds barred, unrestrained drama. Its roots are in the play written by John Patrick Stanley (who, coincidentally, wrote the screenplay and directed the film), and, as such, it relies on its script and acting. The result is some of the best performances of its actors' careers and a screenplay deserving of an Academy Award. Underlying it all is an important study of two differing viewpoints that all Christians should be aware of - following the spirit of the law, or the letter of the law, and what happens when the wrong path is chosen.

The story takes place in the Bronx in 1964. The setting is a Catholic church. Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is the priest, a kind, loving man with a big heart for the boys that attend their Catholic school. In his understanding and gentle ways, he is in direct conflict with the headmistress of the school, Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep), a figure likely familiar to those that have attended a Catholic school. She is strict, hated and feared by the children she rules over. She has a firm, unwavering, nearly dogmatic belief in the old ways and the law, while Father Flynn believes that times are changing and the church needs to be friendlier.

If there ever were a proper set up for sparks to fly, it's here. Sister Aloysius considers Father Flynn a threat to her way of thinking and to the health of the parish. She'll take anything, anything at all that could compromise his position as priest, even going so far as to tell one of her teachers, Sister James (played by Amy Adams), to be on the lookout for unusual behavior. Sister James, with a heart just as big and twice as innocent as Father Flynn's, reports something that she believes could be strange between Flynn and a recently enrolled African American student. Aloysius believes that Father Flynn likely touched the boy inappropriately. With nothing more to go off of than a sneaking, malicious suspicion, she starts her subtle warpath to bring down the kind hearted priest.

It would be giving away the plot to tell the ways she attempts to ruin Flynn's reputation, but allow me to say that Sister Aloysius is devious. While teaching her ways to innocent Sister James, she explains that when "in pursuit of wrong doing, one steps away from God." During the course of the film, she takes several of these steps against her superior in a way reminiscent of Inspector Javert in Victor Hugo's epic novel Les Miserables. And when the two finally meet in battle, it is powerful to behold. Between the acting of Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep, two of the greatest actors of our time, and a script so powerfully written by John Patrick Stanley, there are scenes in this film that will hold you to the edge of your seat in ways no action thriller could ever hope to. I found myself literally holding my breath several times at the sheer intensity held between these two characters. The performances here are nothing short of remarkable.

Regarding moral content, most of the PG-13 rating is due to the subject matter of a priest being accused of inappropriately touching a school boy. I couldn't say that there are more than 2 or 3 curses in the entire film, the strongest of which being "bull****".

Some may find the film boring. There are, after all, no explosions. No gunshots. This film is held together by the script and the acting. Some may find it a dull, droll narrative. But to the rest of us, the performances and dialogue hold Doubt together like glue.

-Zak Mellgren (zak@revolve21.com)