Doubt (2008)

With such a stellar cast and niche setting, it was pretty clear that Doubt, directed and adapted from the play by John Patrick Shanley, would be more about the performances than the story or direction. It's 1964, and no-nonsense principal Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep) runs the St Nicholas School in the Bronx with no room for error or fun. Shy, young history teacher Sister James (Amy Adams) tries to give a compassionate hand to the students but finds herself thwarted by Sr Aloysius' intense morality and self-righteousness. New pastor Father Flynn is trying to shake things up and bring the parish into the modern age, taking care to be friendlier with students and parents, and raising suspicions in Sr Aloysius. He takes special interest in the school's one black student Donald Miller (Joseph Foster), acting as a protector from possible abuse from the other children. One day Fr Flynn sends for Donald during Sr James' class, and when the boy returns he seems distressed and has alcohol on his breath.

Sr James goes to Sr Aloysius with the incident, fearful of her reaction but more fearful for the child. When Fr Flynn is confronted about it, he denies any unsavory allegations and maintains that he was helping Donald out with a personal problem regarding his dipping into the communal wine. Sr James is fairly easily convinced, ready to see the good in everyone, but Sr Aloysius has been set in her opinion of Fr Flynn and endeavors by herself to save Donald from assumed sexual abuse. She talks to his mother (Viola Davis), who is so desperate for her son to do well in school and make it to college that she is willing to turn a blind eye to any non-academic setbacks. Sr Aloysius is determined to see Fr Flynn re-assigned to another church so that she can continue to rule St Nicholas School in her way, resorting to some underhanded tactics in her quest for rectitude.

The story is very sparse, and the direction similarly so. The setting is bleak and cold and snowy, populated by black-swarthed clergy members and budding kids living in fear of their principal. Shanley directed a lot of the film like a play, smitten with his own dialogue and staging. What actually happens isn't that important- the central mystery is never conclusively solved nor would I expect it to be. The focus is on one woman's unwavering sense of God-given righteousness. Due to the minimalist plot and lesser attention to visuals, the bulk of the work falls on the actors. This is a clear showcase of Hoffman's, Adams', Davis', and Streep's talents, filled with fiery declamations and cool stares. Every conversation is heightened by the actors' seeming goal to one-up each other. It's fun to watch, but also a little tiring. Streep is naturally the major pull of the cast, intensifying every scene she's in (which is most). Hoffman is laid back but strong while Amy Adams is soft-spoken but captivating. Overall it's an interesting character and ethical study but a little slow and not particularly engrossing. However, the performances are top-notch and definitely worth seeing.

4/5