Set at a Catholic school in the Bronx - ruled
with an old fashioned "fear of God" iron fist thanks to it's Principal
Sister Aloysius Beauvier - Doubt
centres on a nun (Meryl Streep) who grows suspicious when a priest
(Philip Seymour Hoffman in a role he was born to play... you were
thinking it too!) begins taking a little too much interest in the life
of a young black student.
The schools only black student...
But
when the hopelessly naive Sister James (Amy Adams playing "doe eyed old
fashioned speaking lady" again) begins to share the guilt inducing
suspicion, Sister Aloysius sets off on a personal crusade to unearth
the truth and to expunge Flynn from the school.
But is it possible for one woman take on the almighty power of the corrupt Catholic Church and come out unscathed?
To be honest - it is a tough task trying to tell (and sell) the sort of disturbing story we endure in Doubt.
The
poor folks who were exposed to these circumstances in real life (and
lets not beat around the bush, the sins of the Church in the last 100
years have now been widely confirmed) are hardly going to want to
extract the memories from their own repressed minds - let alone pay $24
for a DVD in order to watch it play out again on a Cinemaxx sized home
theatre system.
Meanwhile, those who were lucky enough to avoid
being fiddled with by priests probably aren't too keen to find out what
the experience is like either.
As overtly glossy and "Oscar-fied" as Doubt feels at times (you could swear you were watching the trailer for Kirk Lazeruth's Satan's Alley from Tropic Thunder)
there is something that really draws the audience into this film,
despite the fact it often suffers from that distinct "Hallmark Movie Of
The Week" tone.
Aside from some stunning performances from
Hoffman and Streep (who really take the movie to a higher level than it
deserves - it is further proof that "acting" isn't just
about reading lines) there is something about portions of the John
Patrick Shanley penned screenplay that gives the audience plenty to
think about.
For anyone who grew up in the Catholic system, and especially those who grew up to question it, will find that Doubt's approach will certainly hit home.
Much like Catholic teachings themselves, Doubt's
story and message is one built on metaphors and analogies - more often
than not leaving it up to the audience to dissect and contemplate in
order to come the truth.
Not a definitive truth, but only what we perceive and believe - or don't believe - that truth or answer to be.
And that is where the brilliance of Doubt lies, in that it does lead the audience through the various stages of conviction.
There
are parts early on in the film where the blood boils inside of you
(despite not knowing the full story, just assuming the worst) - wanting
desperately for justice to be served - only to be swayed towards that
little ol' thing called "doubt: not long after.
It is all quite clever really.
That
said, there is all to often an undeniable stench of "Awards Acting"
which seems to get in the way of ever really connecting 100% to the
film.
As strange as it sounds, the look of the film sometimes
feels a bit too spit-n-polished, which alerts you to the fact that you
are "watching a movie". A little extra scratch and grain to the film
sometimes does make a real difference to the experience, which is a
scary thought as we embark on the digital film age.
Doubt
does overcome it's various superficial flaws to deliver a touching and
often emotionally gut-wrenching film, however, if it is harsh and
unadulterated truth you are after - skip this in favour of the eye
opening film Deliver Us From Evil. DVD EXTRAS
A bunch of featurettes are the main drawcard with this puppy - the best of which takes a look at the transition of Doubt from the theatre stage to the silver screen.
Could be a quiet achiever if added to the ol' DVD collection.
Conclusion:
Movie 70% Extras: 60%
|
