By Zurab Andronikashvili
Doubt is a 2008 film written and directed by John Patrick Shanley, based on his award-winning play. The film stars the award-award-laden Meryl Streep, the sublimely talented Amy Adams, the now late great Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Viola Davis in a supporting role. The film follows a Catholic priest, who is the school’s principle, and how his relationship with the school’s only black student is perceived by other nuns and parents. There are those who are concerned that it is too close and doubt his intentions and even question if it does not involve sexual or emotional abuse. The actual facts of the case are circumstantial and nothing substantive is ever proven, you are only left with the doubt.
Doubt is a 2008 film written and directed by John Patrick Shanley, based on his award-winning play. The film stars the award-award-laden Meryl Streep, the sublimely talented Amy Adams, the now late great Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Viola Davis in a supporting role. The film follows a Catholic priest, who is the school’s principle, and how his relationship with the school’s only black student is perceived by other nuns and parents. There are those who are concerned that it is too close and doubt his intentions and even question if it does not involve sexual or emotional abuse. The actual facts of the case are circumstantial and nothing substantive is ever proven, you are only left with the doubt.
The film is powerful and emotive, while avoiding the ubiquitous danger of overdramatizing. The actor’s performances are jaw dropping in their subtlety and artistry, and that is coming from someone whose jaw rarely ever drops. The film, more than anything else, is a pragmatic study of doubt in a faith or spiritual community, doubt the authority that governs you, doubt the goodness and piety of others, and doubt the good-intentions of others. Doubt is a demon of its own. The film is not heavy-handed but keeps all things on an even keel.
