Posted By: Mike G
I didn't feel as if that drama were an allegory for some larger crisis of faith. If Streep's emotional breakdown at the end of the film resonated beyond her doubts about the priest, I don't think the movie successfully laid the groundwork for that.
I recently saw "Doubt" on Comcast's On Demand Free Movies channel. (It's up until January 31st, 2016). I was totally blown away by Meryl Streep's performance as the Mother Superior of the parish school featured in the film. I attended a parochial school which was run by an order of very strict nuns. This was during the period when corporal punishment was still used in the Catholic schools. Streep nailed it in her demeanor and complete body language of the authoritarian nuns I encountered in my eight years in elementary school. As Sister Aloysius Beauvier, Streep was psychologically terrifying in the very same manner as *some* of the nuns at my school. Sister Beauvier's ability to walk on cat feet and catch her prey in the act, the accusatory pointing of her index finger was very reminiscent of my school days.
During the film I found myself switching back and forth between suspicion about Father Flynn, the Philip Seymour Hoffman character, and wondering if he was unjustly accused. Did he or didn't he? There was a big gray area there. Then you are confronted with the powerful Viola Davis (Mrs. Miller) conversation with Sister Beauvier about her son's relationship with Father Flynn. It, along with Sister Beauvier's confrontation with Father Flynn are two of the most riveting scenes in the film. There's no passive involvement in this film; it is left up to you to draw your own conclusion. At the conclusion we find that, for Sister Beauvier, the end justified her means. An imperfect end at that.
If you can do watch it.
Oh man. Now I have to watch it again. First time around I went with the simple projection that the accused was guilty. When the Streep character questioned herself, I left the movie with the feeling of disappointment. She was just a silly lost soul to me at that point. if the movie was based on President Bush and Iraq, I still feel the same way. The bigger picture for me says you don't live in a way that has others questioning your motives. If I live in a way that does not consider others, just shoot me.
BTW, watching "Doubt" reminded me again of the tragedy of the loss of Philip Seymour Hoffman.
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Very strong performances by Meryl Streep, Mr. Hoffman and that cutesy pie Amy Adams. Would have been higher had I not fallen asleep during the most critical moment.
Sorry. I was pooped not bored.