Song of the Day: “Attitude” by Hardnox

Doubt

Director: John Patrick Shanley
Genre: Drama/Mystery
Year: 2008

Without a doubt – no pun intended – one of the best films of 2008 and timely, in the sense that lately the Catholic Church has been under scrutiny over its actions or the actions of many of its priests. Therefore, this film plays into the theme, without trying to take any particular side. The title of this film, as it turns out, is quite fitting, beyond the topic which it treats but also in the way that it plays out with the audience.

Father Brendan Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman; The Savages, Before the Devil Knows You Are Dead) is a priest at a Catholic school, run by a handful of nuns, of which Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Meryl Streep; Lions for Lambs, The Devil Wears Prada) is the superior. Striving for different approaches to education, Father Brendan opts for the progressive approach, with a friendlier façade and an approachable demeanor, while Sister Aloysius is fighting fiercely to keep with the Church’s original strict and conservative roots. The rift created between these two driven characters is only further increased when Sister James (Amy Adams; Enchanted) voices her concern over something that might constitute as questionable behavior on the part of Father Brendan.

What ensues is a heated battle between two opposing sides, one simply trying to do its best the other actively trying to look into what might very well be a crime, regarding the allegedly inappropriate relationship between the priest and the only black boy at the school.

Pulling at all strings available, and using its excellent cast to move this film forward, paired with an excellent script, this film is rather suspenseful, separated in stride by three sermons, given throughout the film, tacking a few of the subjects that become crucial to the understanding of a very human, very complicated film that raises more questions than it answers and that brings to the table an interesting discussion.

Rating:
Comments: Adult situations, mild language, intense scenes that are not appropriate for the little ones.
Quote: Father Brendan Flynn: You have no right to act on your own! You have taken vows, obedience being one! You answer to us! You have no right to step outside the church!
Sister Aloysius Beauvier: I will step outside the church if that’s what needs to be done, till the door should shut behind me! I will do what needs to be done, though I’m damned to Hell! You should understand that, or you will mistake me.