*** Official DOUBT Review Thread (1 Viewer)

[Patrick Sun]

The issue of "doubt" is the crux of the story as a nun suspects a priest of improprieties towards a new black male student at a catholic school, set in 1964.

Obviously, with the cast that includes Meryl Streep, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams, the performances were solid, but the core of the story just never really captured my attention. I couldn't stand the Sister Aloysius character, only because her stridency is her strength and weakness, and made for a 2-dimensional character, the last minute before the credits notwithstanding.

The direction by Shanley was boring and pedestrian to my eyes.

I give it 2.5 stars, or a grade of C+.

 

[Robert Crawford]

This thread is now the Official Review Thread for "Doubt". Please post all HTF member reviews in this thread.

Any other comments, links to other reviews, or discussion items will be deleted from this thread without warning!

If you need to discuss those type of issues then I have designated an Official Discussion Thread.


Crawdaddy

 

[Robert Crawford]

I watched this film on Christmas Day and thought it was a fine display of some great acting.

Unlike Patrick (what else is new

), I loved the Sister Aloysius character because I grew up in the same time period the film takes place just suburban miles from the NYC film setting and lived right across the street from a Catholic school in which some of my closest childhood friends attended. At that school they had their Sister Aloysius character too, of course, she had a different name, but the fear her students and non-students had of her was very real. She was an opposing figure with her stone face and more than a few times, my friends would come home with bruised knuckles or fannies. Back then I attended mass a few times with a buddy of mine and watched her in action similar to Sister Aloysius's actions in the film. I must admit, I laughed hard watching those scenes in this film, maybe out of some surpressed nervous recall from my youth.

Anyhow, I appreciated the character for what she was because I knew from personal experience that some people are rather two dimensional. That they don't allow you close enough to see another dimension of themselves.

The acting was excellent in this film from all of the four main characters including Viola Davis. Again, her portrayal of a mother's reactions to those charges is viewed today as being very strange to most people, but not to me. It was a different world back then and not necessarily for the better as some of us like to think of those "good ole days" which weren't good at all for a lot of people.

The charges and the ending of the film I would like to discuss in the discussion thread because I don't want to give anything away about the film. IMO, I think the film is a solid B with a bump up to B+ due to the great acting.





Crawdaddy

 

[Brett_M]

I attended Catholic School for 7th, 8th and 9th grade and all I can say is I'm glad it wasn't in 1964.

The film had great performances. Otherwise, it doesn't really stick with you as a movie. I'm sure it worked better as a play.

Anyway, I enjoyed seeing the four leads thunder away at each other. I have to admit that I looked at my watch several times. See it if you're a fan of those involved.

***/*****