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| Movie Review: Doubt Alternate Title: Did He or Didn't He
Story: You may have thought
you have seen or read enough about scandals involving Catholic priests
but allow yourself one more indulgence and go to see this wonderful
film, written and directed by John Patrick Shanley,
based on his award winning play. I saw the play on Broadway and liked the movie
even more. The story is simple but the truth is complex. It takes place
in the Bronx, 1964 when Vatican II was encouraging Priests to move their
parishes forward into the 20th century - in essence making them more
user friendly. Father Flynn is accused of inappropriate behavior
with a 12 year old boy by a traditional old school nun, Sister Aloysius.
She has no proof, but she has her certainty. She sees sin under every
rock, behind every action. Young, idealistic Sister James is caught
in the middle of this two character storm. Does the truth get revealed? Is justice served?
Will you be a part of deciding the outcome of this drama? I won't tell
you much more but I will tell you to go see this engrossing cinematic
experience - there is much to think about. Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hpa37qaOp80
Acting: The acting across the board is sensational.
Meryl Streep inhabits the body and soul of Sister Aloysius
Beauvier and will surely get award nods. It allows me to forgive her
for the most awful 'Mamma Mia.' Philip Seymour Hoffman
as Father Brendan Flynn is probably one of the only actors who can stand
up to Streep's acting - and he does. Amy Adams as the
young Sister James, is perfect for the role. Viola Davis
as Mrs. Miller, the boy in questions' Mother is fabulous. The rest of
the cast works well too including, Joseph Foster II
(Donald Miller), Alice Drummond (Sister Veronica),
Audrie Neenan (Sister Raymond), Susan Blommaert
(Mrs. Carson), Carrie Preston (Christine Hurley) and
John Costelloe (Warren Hurley).
Trivia: John Patrick Shanley's play won the 2005 Pulitzer
Prize, the 2004-2005 Drama Desk Award and the 2005 Tony Award. Actor
Amy Adams was born in Italy to American parents at
a time when her father was a U.S. serviceman stationed in the country
but was raised in a Mormon family of seven children in Castle Rock,
Colorado. Viola Davis won the 2001 Tony Award for Best
Featured Actress in a Play for the August Wilson's"King Hedley
II". As of 2008, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Dustin
Hoffman are the only two winners of best actor in a leading
role at the Oscars to share a last name. Philip won for 'Capote' and
Dustin won for 'Kramer vs. Kramer' and 'Rain Man'. Meryl Streep
currently holds the record for most Oscar nominations for acting (14
total), including both actors and actresses.
Predilection: I liked the play and like to watch
great acting.
Critters: A crow, pigeons, a dead mouse and a working
cat.
Food: The Nuns eat gristly meat, bland veggies and
boiled potatoes while the Priests eat luscious rare roast beef and drink
wine.
Sex Spectrum: Inappropriate behavior is alluded to
- but nothing is ever shown.
Blatant Product Placement: None, but the Catholic
Church does not come out looking that good.
Opening Titles: Simple type over a sequence showing
us the neighborhood, parishioners and the lead up to a sermon.
Visual Art: A nice job of recreating the times.
Theater Audience: Crowded for an early show on opening
weekend Sunday.
Weather: Chilly, windy pre-Christmas time.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: The subject is very squirmy.
Drift Factor: I was riveted throughout and did not
look at my watch once.
Predictability Level: I saw the play and knew what
would be happening.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Yes.
Nit Picking: My only gripe was the occasional annoying
angle of the camera. Some scenes are shot on an angle. I am not sure
why that choice was made.
Big Screen or Rental: Big screen
Length: Under two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 9 |