Doubt
2/4
Starring: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Viola Davis, Joseph Foster
Rated PG-13 for Thematic Material
Doubt is an uncomfortable position to be in. You don't know the truth, and the pain of not knowing can frustrate tremendously. Just look at a missing persons case. How do you think it feels to not know where your loved one is? Granted, "Doubt" doesn't deal with a missing person, but a crime, if one indeed occurred, that is just as terrifying.
Donald Miller (Foster) is the lone black child at St. Nicholas Catholic School. It is 1964, so life is understandably difficult for him. He has been taken under the wing of Father Flynn (Hoffman), the progressively minded parish priest. That raises the ire of Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Streep), who believes that things must stay the same. But when young Sister James (Adams) sees Donald acting a little odd after being called to a private meeting with Father Flynn, Sister Aloysius is convinced that the priest molested him. Sister James thinks that that's a far out conjecture to make, but the tenacious nun sets out to prove her suspicions and won't let anyone stand in her way.
"Doubt" explores differing philosophies (liberalism, conservatism) and what happens when they come to blows. Father Flynn is forward thinking. He's personable, optimistic, and open. Sister Aloysius is rigid, tenacious and suspicious of everything. Father Flynn's willingness to wear his flaws on his sleeve allows Sister Aloysius, who feels that her way of life is threatened, to come in and take him down. And poor, innocent Sister James is caught between them, trying to please both.
The film was based on a play by screenwriter John Patrick Shanley (he also directed the film), so it should come as no surprise that this is an actor's show. Meryl Streep is in top form as Sister Aloysius. She is a strong woman, but also incredibly stubborn. The evidence against Father Flynn is, at best, flimsy, and yet because of her past and her personality, she is convinced that the man is guilty and won't stop until she has proven that. She is also willing to destroy any innocent bystanders to do so; I kept thinking of Mike Nifong, whose dogged prosecution of the Duke Lacrosse players a few years ago caused a nationwide scandal and put innocent young men through hell. Aloysius may have her heart in the right place, but her personal motives and quirks could destroy everything. Tiny voiced Amy Adams is effective, but can't quite match her co-stars. There is at least one scene where her range (which is considerable) is stretched beyond its capacity. The late Philip Seymour Hoffman steals his scenes as the friendly Father Flynn, but he is more than capable of being able to go up against Sister Aloysius without backing down. Viola Davis got her big break as Donald's mother. She's only on screen for two scenes (the latter of which she is in the church audience and doesn't speak). Mrs. Miller loves her son, and because of how much Father Flynn is helping Donald, she isn't going to go against Father Flynn without harder evidence (which shocks Sister Aloysius).
This sounds like a gripping psychological drama or thriller, and it should be. Sadly, it's not. The film lacks focus; there are scenes and subplots that feel extraneous and save for a few scenes, it doesn't feel intense. The film should radiate with tension, but instead it feels limp. The screenplay has its weak moments. Characters sometimes have radical and poorly motivated changes in character, and then change back just as suddenly. Mistakes like these hurt the film's credibility and ability to sustain tension.
"Doubt" is not a terrible film (with these strong of actors, how could it not?), but it is disappointing.
Starring: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Viola Davis, Joseph Foster
Rated PG-13 for Thematic Material
Doubt is an uncomfortable position to be in. You don't know the truth, and the pain of not knowing can frustrate tremendously. Just look at a missing persons case. How do you think it feels to not know where your loved one is? Granted, "Doubt" doesn't deal with a missing person, but a crime, if one indeed occurred, that is just as terrifying.
Donald Miller (Foster) is the lone black child at St. Nicholas Catholic School. It is 1964, so life is understandably difficult for him. He has been taken under the wing of Father Flynn (Hoffman), the progressively minded parish priest. That raises the ire of Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Streep), who believes that things must stay the same. But when young Sister James (Adams) sees Donald acting a little odd after being called to a private meeting with Father Flynn, Sister Aloysius is convinced that the priest molested him. Sister James thinks that that's a far out conjecture to make, but the tenacious nun sets out to prove her suspicions and won't let anyone stand in her way.
"Doubt" explores differing philosophies (liberalism, conservatism) and what happens when they come to blows. Father Flynn is forward thinking. He's personable, optimistic, and open. Sister Aloysius is rigid, tenacious and suspicious of everything. Father Flynn's willingness to wear his flaws on his sleeve allows Sister Aloysius, who feels that her way of life is threatened, to come in and take him down. And poor, innocent Sister James is caught between them, trying to please both.
The film was based on a play by screenwriter John Patrick Shanley (he also directed the film), so it should come as no surprise that this is an actor's show. Meryl Streep is in top form as Sister Aloysius. She is a strong woman, but also incredibly stubborn. The evidence against Father Flynn is, at best, flimsy, and yet because of her past and her personality, she is convinced that the man is guilty and won't stop until she has proven that. She is also willing to destroy any innocent bystanders to do so; I kept thinking of Mike Nifong, whose dogged prosecution of the Duke Lacrosse players a few years ago caused a nationwide scandal and put innocent young men through hell. Aloysius may have her heart in the right place, but her personal motives and quirks could destroy everything. Tiny voiced Amy Adams is effective, but can't quite match her co-stars. There is at least one scene where her range (which is considerable) is stretched beyond its capacity. The late Philip Seymour Hoffman steals his scenes as the friendly Father Flynn, but he is more than capable of being able to go up against Sister Aloysius without backing down. Viola Davis got her big break as Donald's mother. She's only on screen for two scenes (the latter of which she is in the church audience and doesn't speak). Mrs. Miller loves her son, and because of how much Father Flynn is helping Donald, she isn't going to go against Father Flynn without harder evidence (which shocks Sister Aloysius).
This sounds like a gripping psychological drama or thriller, and it should be. Sadly, it's not. The film lacks focus; there are scenes and subplots that feel extraneous and save for a few scenes, it doesn't feel intense. The film should radiate with tension, but instead it feels limp. The screenplay has its weak moments. Characters sometimes have radical and poorly motivated changes in character, and then change back just as suddenly. Mistakes like these hurt the film's credibility and ability to sustain tension.
"Doubt" is not a terrible film (with these strong of actors, how could it not?), but it is disappointing.
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