Doubt

“I have doubts…I have such doubts”

Dynamite on the Screen and Doubt Left in the Soul

After reading John Patrick Shanley’s 58 page play, it was time to go see his own adaptation of his play into the screen. He picked a great cast – Meryl Streep, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, and Viola Davis. The film was poised to be spectacular. And it was.

Set in 1960s Brooklyn, Doubt is about Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Streep), a cranky nun stuck in the dark ages, who mounts a campaign against Father Flynn (Hoffman), a more progressive priest, based on her certainty that he has had illicit relations with the school’s first negro boy. Because the play was short, and the film much lengthier, Shanley was able to place all the substance of the book into the film. And, although I would love to see this play on stage, I “doubt” that a lot can be done to outdo this film.

Honestly, there is so much that leaves you thinking because of this film, that I really don’t want to put too much substance into this review. However, the main theme is, obviously, doubt. Doubt is an emotion just as powerful as certainty. What can it lead to? Doubt in your own faith. Doubt in others? All of this is eloquently expressed by Father Flynn and emulated through Sister Aloysius. You will not leave the theatre without something to think about on the ride home.

As far as performances go – it will be a sin if one of these actors isn’t sent home with a statue. Philip Seymour Hoffman is not going to beat out Heath Ledger, especially since he already has a statue. Streep likely won’t beat out Kate Winslet or Anne Hathaway for the same reason. I would place my money on either Amy Adams or Viola Davis. I have my ‘certainty’ that both of them will receive nominations, and I would place money on one of them to take the gold from Penelope Cruz. Right now, it’s a complete tie between the two of them. If I had to make a guess – I would vote for Amy Adams, but Viola Davis will win. Either way, it works, and it is well deserved.

Because I don’t want to talk about details too much, just take my recommendation to heart and see this film before it is taken out of theatres for it’s likely 4 month segue to DVD. 2008 becomes a record year – I give this film a solid A, and that now makes 4 A-range film for 2008. Woot!