Product reviewsDoubt (DVD, 2009)

Excellent Delivery Of Taboo Subject Set 50 Years Back.

In 1964 a Catholic elementary school has just admitted its first Black student, a 12-year-old boy transferred from public school. The principal, a rigid disciplinarian nun, and the liberal parish priest are both concerned for the boy's welfare in a predominantly Irish/Italian school. The nun Meryl Streep becomes convinced that the priest has (or is planning to have) an improper relationship with the child and is determined to force him to leave the school. Not only was the relationship improper, but it was still illegal, yet much harder to prove since various stigmas are attached to such behavior. A third compassionate person is the boy's mother, who has another point of view. The fourth person is Sister James (Amy Adams), a young teacher who is concerned but confused by the conflict between the nun and the priest.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman effectively keeps us guessing as to the honesty and integrity of the character he is now playing. He never tips his hat one way or the other as to what might be going on in his own head. Amy Adams makes a compelling stand-in for those of us in the audience who are trying to reserve judgment on these two characters before all the facts are revealed. Special notice needs to be given about the role of Mrs. Miller (Viola Davis) who adamantly opposes any confrontation as the bad intentions of Father Flynn and her son. Her performance is brief yet unforgettable. The unsettling news that her son may have been the victim of a sexual predator seems to chill her to the bone.

Although Natalie Portman declined the role of Sister James, Amy Adams was a real breath of fresh air. She is not overly reserved, yet not too bashful either. I think Adams was chosen for this role predominately due to her innocent portrayal of Sister James. When I looked at her, I happen to see the most innocent person possible. But in addition to her reserve, she is also very poised in a cute way. I think I had to add the cute because this is something we usually use to describe only children who are innocent. However, Adams is a young lady who also appears very innocent, which is why I thought the calling her cute here is way necessary.

The director allows the viewer to make up his own mind as to whether the supposed event actually ever happened or not. In the end, it was the lying sister that brought the priest down to his knees. She lies about the phone calls inquiring into his other past positions within the church and plays it close to the cuff, insinuating that she knows why he has quickly been swished away to another position to keep things hush-hush. She holds her composure and bluffs her way into her own version of the truth, yet lying to get to truth is the worst lie, in my opinion. We have to assume that he is indeed guilty, since the entire film is centered around the subject of the the film. Just as he did with the play, John Patrick Shanley, the playwright, only told the actor who played Father Flynn whether or not Flynn was guilty. None of the other actors knew.

A funny note on the subject of parts is that both Meryl Streep and Amy Adams played nuns in this film, but the two actresses had also played less celibate characters in previous movies. Amy Adams' character had three boyfriends in Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008), as did Meryl Streep's in Mamma Mia! (2008). After "Doubt", Meryl Streep reunited with Amy Adams in Julie & Julia again in 2009.

This film gets 4/5 from me because its editing & conciseness.Read full review...

Riveting Performances all Around + A Great Story!!

"Doubt" will literally blow you away with its pertinent story and the great performances of all its actors!

Meryl Streep has to be mentioned first, as her performance of Sister Aloysius is over the top! She adopts a stern Yankee accent to emphasize her role as the principal of St. Nicholas School, and even in 1964 she is alert to the possibility of a pedophile priest on the premises. She seems to suspect Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) even before there is even a whisper of any impropriety. When the movie opens, he is delivering a sermon on the emotion of doubt being just as strong as the emotion of certainty, while Sister is straightening out the behavior of all the children in the church.

But as the movie weaves along, there is a strong wind of something blowing. Since there is a new black 8th grade male student in the school, Sister James (Amy Adams) reports to Sister Aloysius an incident in which Father Flynn has requested the boy to come from class to the rectory. When the boy returns, he is moody and has the smell of alcohol on his breath.

A determined Sister Aloysius will not let the incident alone. She confronts Father Flynn, reports it to the boy's mother (Viola Davis), and has a final showdown with Father Flynn.

But Sister has a strong adversary in Father Flynn. He firmly denies any wrongdoing and continues to shower attention and love on the boy, who is obviously the target of some taunts from the other students. Father delivers another sermon on gossip and how it is impossible to stop it once it starts. He accuses Sister Aloysius of intolerance and does his best to explain the situation to Sister James, who is very sympathetic.

You will be blown away by the results of all of this and by the conclusion to the movie. You will also be treated to some very special features on this DVD, and will meet the real Sister James, who was a consultant on the movie. She was the first grade teacher of John Patrick Shanley, who wrote the original play that was a Tony-winning hit on Broadway and then the screenplay for this movie.

This movie had multiple Oscar nominations but won none: Meryl Streep (Best Actress), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Best Supporting Actor), Amy Adams (Best Supporting Actress), Viola Davis (Best Supporting Actress), and Best Adapted Screenplay (Shanley).

This is a viewing treat for all, but especially for us baby boomers who were students in Catholic schools when the schools were run by all nuns.Read full review...

Doubt

A very good movie on a subject of our times. It shows that a person can be wrong though and that just having suspicions is not good enough. It also shows that there is a good chain of command to go to and that making up your mind about something doesn't always make it so. To do so and ruin someone's career is devastating.
The actors in this movie are very good and make the story believable. Of course, having two Oscar winners helps.
I would recommend this movie to anyone. It keeps your attention well. I had seen it already and wanted it for my own collection of DVDs.Read full review...

without a doubt: spellbinding

What can be said about something that is flat out stunning. Superb acting in all depts., subject matter held my attention thru out. And the excellent dynamic duo streep/hoffman were just great: we lost a accomplished actor in hoffman. Thank you for the terrific price as im not wealthy but I have extremely good taste!Read full review...

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Really wonderful movie...

The acting within this movie was excellent, and the plot was something that can relate to anyone. Here you have a nun that suspects a priest of one of the most horrible crimes ever. She takes it upon herself to see to it that this priest no longer resides near her or the kids that partake into the school...She goes as far as one would to try to see that justice is serviced even though she has doubts she trys to make sure that her mind and the school is saved from this wondering priest. Great story and one that always leaves some in doubt as to what they might do in such a situation.Read full review...

Doubt

I would rate this movie at 5 out of 5 stars. I was able to enjoy a quality movie with fabulous actors and actresses, that contained no foul language or inappropriate content. I would highly recommend this movie to any one looking for a flick that includes church history, humor, and drama. Thanks for a great buy!!!Read full review...

Good drama from begining to end. A very happening movie

The characters in this movie do a wonderful job. They are trying to find out why some of the boys don't like to be with the priest. It holds your attention until the end. It was good from start to finish.Read full review...

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Doubt, A Daring Movie For It's Time!

This was also a movie I wanted to see based on all the Oscar buzz surrounding it! I was highly impressed with this movie.

The movie depicts a very sensitive subject of sexual abuse surrounding a priest from a community and church. The movie does run on a slower pace but it is meant that way! There are a lot of sections of the movie which insinuate dark sections are coming.

There are also other twists in the movie in which you don't see coming. They run with the issue of race besides sexual abuse in this movie. It is very interesting how the issues are combined near the end.

My father went to a catholic school as a child and this movie shows many of the same stories he told me about school and the nuns that ran it. We never spoke of the abuse issue but this movie reminded me of how the schools were run discipline wise with nuns. He stated they were always in fear of the nuns. This movie definitely gives you that impression!

There were many great argument scenes that exploded between the many priest character and the nuns! The ending was also great with a surprising twist! This movie defintely made you think throughout it.

I highly recommend this movie, no matter what religion or belief!Read full review...

Doubt dvd, Streep and Hoffman

Two reasons to buy this dvd, Streep and Hoffman. A wonderful compliment to your dvd collection. Streep, well has she ever given a bad performance? Hoffman follows suit with his stellar portrayal of a put upon priest, manipulated to perfection by Streep.
This movie is one of the best, the concept of right vs. wrong is strong and the subject matter is easily given over and translates well into today's troubled climate.
The Catholic church has it's share of loonies just like any organized religion but Streep's "certainty" blocks all common sense and colors her world only black and white and it is with this strong lack of color that the story shines.Read full review...

Great!

I love a movie that is simply put - different! This movie is about a Priest whose behavior is questionable and a Nun who wont rest until she gets some answers!

Meryl Streep is a tough cookie in this - she makes it hard to like and dislike her at the same time!

Phillip Semour-Hoffman is great, definitely an outstanding performance.

The ending is not expected so I wont spoil it!

Buy this movie, you will not regret it.Read full review...