Doubt

Set in the early 60s, Doubt takes place at a Catholic school which has one black student. The parish priest is likable and friendly Father Flynn (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) and the school principal is strict, harsh Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep). When a school teacher Sister James suspects something odd about Flynn's relationship with the young black boy, she goes to Aloysius with her suspicion. Convinced of his guilt Aloysius takes it upon herself to protect the boy and the school.

Directed by John Patrick Shanely based on his own play, the film never lets on whether Father Flynn is guilty of anything. It quickly becomes a tete a tete between Flynn and Aloysius over the alleged incident. Its your standard role actors love type of movie. Actors who are very good at what they do get to run the gamut of emotion sometimes all in one scene. And Streep and Hoffman are certainly two of the best at what they do.

It is a play to be sure and so feels rather stagy but that isn't always a bad thing. The film is at its best when it just relies on the performers to perform. It is at its worst whenever Shanely tries to ratchet up the mood with over the top dramatic music, ominous rain storms and general mood setting that just annoys. But overall it does what it sets out to accomplish. It leaves you questioning and impressed with the actors. It speaks volumes that four of the films actors were nominated for Academy Awards. It isn't a great movie but it certainly isn't a bad movie.

I could have done without all the tweaking of mood by the director and the final scene strikes an odd note I'm not sure I buy but the money is in the Hoffman and Streep scenes and one tense and emotional scene between Streep and Viola Davis as the mother of the black boy at the center of the controversy.