The film explores the story of a Catholic school principal who appears to already doubt a mysterious relationship between the priest and a troubled young student. Perhaps this director is facing a strange path in trying to reveal this issue to understand whether it is very protective or not sufficient protection in an attempt to reveal the truth.
John Patrick Shanley's Doubt left me less moved than querulously dissatisfied despite the impressive performances of Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, and Viola Davis in all the key roles.
Kelly Vance
August 16, 2011
Streep bursts onto the scene in a shower of meteors and takes control of director John Patrick Shanley's scenario.
Doubt is not exactly a tour de force, but the film succeeds on the wattage of its stars, Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman, as a nun and priest at odds over an unspeakable suspicion.
In a brisk 104 minutes, we meet four compelling people, establish a living breathing school environment, tackle legitimate moral dilemmas and wrestle with topics we'll spend longer than 104 minutes discussing.
Thanks to a nearly perfect cast, this provocative glimpse into the Catholic priest child-molestation scandal manages to be deeply disturbing on several levels.
As a movie, very little actually happens. It's a lot of discussion about what might have happened or may occur in future, and then the emotional change that signals the curtain to drop and for the class to put down their pencils. The performances are st
