The power of a person's words has been a common theme in movies recently. Last year, Atonement dealt with the way a few words from a misunderstanding individual could alter the course of multiple lives. In Doubt, the big screen adaptation of John Patrick Shanley's play of the same name, we see the way words can be used to deceive and conceal, and ultimately destroy one's reputation. Ultimately, the typical problems that arise when converting a stage play to the big screen keep what is a very good film from being a great one.
Meryl Streep plays Sister Aloysius, the overly strict headmistress at a Catholic school. Aloysius is the type who sees the downfall of humanity in the most trivial of things. The use of a ballpoint pen means penmanship throughout the world is faltering. She would fit in quite nicely at one of the Magdalene Laundries of Ireland(check out the amazing film, The Magdalene Sisters for more info on that). Aloysius is at odds with Father Flynn, played with usual brilliance by Philip Seymour Hoffman, who is a little too progressive for her taste. Sister James, played by Amy Adams, notices Flynn's unusual closeness with one of the boys, the only African-American student at the school. Aloysius uses Sister James's information to spark a mini-crusade to oust the Father from the school.
For his part, Father Flynn fights against Aloysius's unshakeable certainty tooth and nail, but he also shows signs of weakness and, well, doubt, about his own innocence. It's clear that there is something lurking beneath the surface of his caring, embracing demeanor. Aloysius latches on to this and uses it as fuel to feed her attacks. Even after Flynn convinces Sister James of his innocence, Aloysius somehow uses it to bolster her certainty on the matter. There is no doubt in her mind, or atleast not in her actions.
Any film that boasts the acting chops of Streep and Hoffman is going to be an enjoyable watch. Streep is so far beyond anybody else in her field that it's rare that she meets her equal, but I think Hoffman more than lived up to the challenge. He had by far the most difficult role in the film, and I'd be curious to know whether he came at it from a position of innocence or guilt. Streep's Aloysius is a stone-faced Cruella de Ville of the religious sect. She's so cold, even her stiff attempts at kindness are covered in snowdrift. Amy Adams, who has come a LONG way from Drop Dead Gorgeous(one of my faves) and Psycho Beach Party is a bit too mousy for me here. It's a reucurring problem for her ever since she nailed the type so perfectly in Junebug. Everything seems like a variation on her character from that film. The scene stealer, and unfortunately she only has one scene, is Viola Davis who plays the mother of Flynn's alledged victim. Whereas the majority of the film is basically people talking back and forth at eachother, she has the one great monologue of the film. The only person to throw a real crack in Aloysius's moral certainty. It's the most enjoyable part of the film for me.
It must be difficult porting plays to film. The two just aren't a natural pair. Dialogue that would work on stage doesn't always fly on screen. Often times the characters speak in absolutes that would sound unnatural if said by any other performers. Also, the director seems to feel as if there is a need to add melodramatic flair when it's not really necessary: an blaring phone ringing constantly in the middle of an intense conversation; blinding cracks of thunder and heavy rains pounding against the windows signifying the coming storm. It's just not necessary. And then there's the ending, which to me left a lot to be desired and too much answered. Maybe that's the subtle genius of it, because I wanted more than what I received.
None of this is enough to derail what is legitimately one of the best thrillers of the year, with three of the best performances. I definitely recommend it based on the fact that it will have you asking questions and pondering the fate of it's characters for some time after the film's conclusion.
7/10
