John Patrick Shanley brings his play Doubt to the screen, in a story about the quest for truth, the forces of change, and the devastating consequences of blind justice in an age defined by moral conviction. It's 1964, St. Nicholas in the Bronx. A vibrant, charismatic priest, Father Flyn, is trying to upend the school's strict customs, which have long been fiercley guarded by Sister Aloysius Beauvier, the iron-gloved Principal who believes in the power of fear and discipline. The winds of political change are sweeping through the community, and, indeed, the school has just accepted its first black student, Donald Miller. But when Sister James, a hopeful innocent, shares with Sister Aloysius her guilt-inducing suspicion that Father Flynn is paying too much personal attention to Donald, Sister Aloysius is galvanised to begin a crusade to both unearth the truth and expunge Flynn from the scgool. Now, without a shred of proof or evidence except her moral certainty, Sister Aloysius locks into a battle of wills with Father Flynn, a battle that threatens to tear apart the church and school with devastating consequences.
Directed by
John Patrick Shanley
Written by
John Patrick Shanley (play and screenplay).
Starring
Meryl Streep (Sister Aloysius Beauvier); Philip Seymour Hoffman (Father Brendan Flynn); Amy Adams (Sister James); Viola Davis (Mrs. Miller); Alice Drummond (Sister Veronica); Audrie J. Neenan (Sister Raymond (as Audrie Neenan)); Susan Blommaert (Mrs. Carson); Carrie Preston (Christine Hurley); John Costelloe (Warren Hurley); Lloyd Clay Brown (Jimmy Hurley); Joseph Foster (Donald Miller); Mike Roukis (William London). Please contact SFC to add other cast members and characters.
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In God we Trust
Mark Banks (United Kingdom)
Opinion: Recommended
It's been a long time since I saw a film as good and as original as 'Doubt' - it's a little like a throw back to Hitchcock's days of suspense dramas (watch 'I Confess' for example), albeit with a more controversial subject matter. Technically the film can be little criticised: the acting is excellent; Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman carry the production with ease as the two main leads (though Hoffman was only nominated for his Oscar in the supporting actor category). Amy Adams as the innocent Sister James and Viola Davis as Donald Miller's mother are also fine supports.
The Screenplay does a good job in keeping the viewer in suspense; even as the credits roll the decision is ultimately left to the viewer. However, whereas many film producers and directors will contend "we weren't trying to convey a message or anything through this film", a film such as 'Doubt' highlights the difference between genuinely leaving the outcome of the story up to the viewer (though even the possibility of this is debatable), and leaving the outcome of the moral of the story up to the viewer. The latter of these I believe is almost impossible. And the outcome of the moral of 'Doubt' I believe (and am not alone in believing) is the immorality of freely casting suspicion upon people and judging the guilt of others without due cause.
A case that came to mind after viewing this film is the real life story of the murder of Rachel Nickell on Wimbledon Common in 1992 - a case most British readers will be familiar with. Non-British readers may wish to look the case up on the internet. In this case a man was put under suspicion by police and charged with her murder. This man in question lived a questionable lifestyle (in Catholic terms he had committed mortal sin). However, his conviction was later quashed and sixteen years later another man (a serial killer and rapist) confessed to Rachel's murder. The originally accused man received a substantial payout from the police.
Little doubt (no pun intended), there are other stories of people who were guilty, but who got away with the crime. The point is that ultimately we have to trust in God regarding these matters. We have to leave final judgement up to Him. If some people get away, we can but pray. If others are falsely convicted, again, we can but pray. Ultimately that is our only recourse to justice, and our best hope for peace of mind.
One final point - although I do recommend this film, at present I have refrained from placing it in my top-100. For although an issue that perhaps needed to be addressed, I could think of other films that I'd sooner make regarding Catholic religious, than a film that focusses on those that struggle the most with their callings. Still, the film points in the direction of the truth regarding trust and judgement, and that I believe is a good thing.
