Doubt

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Plot Doubt is the story of child abuse in a Catholic school told from the point of view of the school nuns. More than that it is a character study of Sister Aloysius, (Meryl Streep) who is the school principal in her battle to drive the abusing priest from her school. She has a steely manner, but is so limited by the subservient role of women in the 1960's era Church. The priest (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) is abusing a black student, and the young teaching nun, Sister James (Amy Adams,) does not know what to do.

There is a subplot concerning the doubt of the innocence of the priest and it is paired with the doubt in the faith of the church. Sister James believes in God and maybe somewhat happier. Sister Aloysius doubts the faithfulness of Father Flynn and also God.

Review: The movie is about a straight-forward story of protecting boys from abuse, but it is so well done, and the women are so courageous, that the story is consistently gripping and outstanding. The nuns that run the school are feared by the students, but are nearly powerless to protect the students against the priests. There is a powerful scene with the boy's Mom, that you will talk about after the movie. Meryl Streep gives restrained and powerful performance. Phillip Seymour Hoffman gives a nuanced performance as the perpetrator, who is portrayed as a failed, but honorable man.

This is a simple, powerful movie. Clearly the best of the 2008.

Cast and crew:
Meryl Streep, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams; written and directed by John Patrick Shanley

Rating
4.0


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