Movie Review: Doubt

By Justin Velasquez
January 4, 2009

Doubt is one of the most rousing films this year that is relentless, tension-filled and highly emotional.  It centers on a Catholic nun who suspects possible wrongdoing involving a priest and a young student.  The nun, Sister Aloysius (Oscar winner Meryl Streep), is a tough-as-nails educator & disciplinarian who has no obvious soft side.  The priest, Father Brendan Flynn (Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman), is a bit more progressive and is easily more popular with the students at St. Nicholas.  Neither of the two see eye to eye and their differing viewpoints set the stage for a major confrontation.

Doubt isn't a modern-day film - it is set around 1964 and the assassination of John F. Kennedy is still fresh in the country's mind.  Times are changing but the Catholic Church isn't too quick to adapt to those changes.  Father Flynn represents a bit of change, something that threatens the status quo and Sister Aloysius' comfort level.  One obvious sign of change is Donald Miller (Joseph Foster II), the school's first African-American student.  Donald is an outsider and has no friends at St. Nicholas.  His only friend is Father Flynn - Flynn takes him under his wing so that young Donald may feel more accepted.  This outpouring of warmth and support doesn't go unnoticed by the principal.  One day during class Donald is summoned to the rectory to meet with Father Flynn - alone.  No one knows what occurred during that meeting but upon Donald's return to class he is certainly bothered and not himself.

The beauty of Doubt is that the actual events of that meeting are never revealed.  Only Father Flynn and Donald know what really happened.  But Sister Aloysius is 100% convinced that improprieties occurred and she wages a personal war against the priest.  During her crusade she interviews Father Flynn, the young and naïve Sister James (Oscar nominee Amy Adams) and Donald's mother (Viola Davis, Disturbia).  Though no real evidence is found and there aren't any revelations from her questioning it doesn't sway Sister Aloysius.  What results is a powerful and emotional confrontation that is one of the best this year.

John Patrick Shanley wrote and directed Doubt and it is based on the play which he also wrote.  The focus of the film isn't about possible immoral acts within the Catholic Church; its focus is on the title itself.  At a time when the entire country is in doubt St. Nicholas is a microcosm of that uncertainty.  What also resonates to great effect is the power of rumor and gossip.  Many believe that a person is as only as good as their reputation.  If that's true then just the mere mention of wrongdoing could end Father Flynn's career.  At one time or another someone has been the victim of rumors and hearsay so by that account one can actually be sympathetic towards Father Flynn.  You just never know - and that's what makes Doubt so good.

The writing is sharp and impeccable - only actors like Hoffman and Streep could take it in such a lofty direction.  Every actor is incredible in their performance and with each line uttered even more doubt is raised.  The best performance comes from Viola Davis - and with such a great cast that's even more impressive.  She appears towards the film's conclusion and only is on screen for about ten minutes, but see her reaction to Sister Aloysius' suspicions adds a new and unexpected wrinkle that leaves much to question.

Doubt is an amazing film that does a great job of capturing your attention.  Keep an eye out for it because it offers the idea that nothing is ever certain.

Four stars out of Four