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DOUBT

Starring: Meryl Streep, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Viola Davis and Alice Drummond

Directed by: John Parker Shanley

Rated PG-13 for thematic material

By John Delia

Excellent acting, good direction and a provocative plot make Doubt a deserving film for those that like their drama dark and disturbing. Special acting kudos to Amy Adams and Viola Davis for their superb performances that should garner them Golden Globe or Oscar attention.
The film takes place in the early 60’s at a parochial school in New York. Recently appointed to the school, Father Flynn (Hoffman) has been getting a lot of admiration from his students because of his gentle hand toward discipline. In the meantime, principal Sister Beauvier (Streep), a staunch disciplinarian has become peeved by the priest’s actions. In the meantime Donald Miller (, the first and only black student in the school has become charmed by Father Flynn’s flamboyant ways. Sister Beauvier makes note that she feels Father Flynn is getting to close to Miller and a suspicion develops. When Sister James (Adams) tells Principal Beauvier’s that she has seen something strange going on involving Miller, Beauvier starts searching for the truth. Thus starts a battle of wits between the Father and Principal that could have devastating results.
The smart direction by Shanley of keeping the actors confined in the school makes the film very suspenseful. Every encounter with students in the hallway by Father Flynn gets the camera’s close attention allowing his actions to exude suspicion. The close-ups in the scene where Sister Beauvier and Flynn go toe to toe are gripping. At one point you do not know who to side with, as both sides of the story seem pertinent to innocence and guilty to the accusations.
Outstanding performances by Adams and Davis help the film work. In a tearful moment Davis as Mrs. Miller the black student’s mother brings out a clear prospective of the situation from her point of view. Her performance is masterful and convincing enough to earn her a supporting nomination for a Golden Globe or Oscar. I have never seen such a wonderful performance for Adams. Usually she is this goofy yet charming person in films like Enchanted and Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, but not here. With a stunningly serious performance, Adams’ portrayal of the frail nun makes the movie a success. Not wanting to disappoint Beauvier in her quest to take Flynn down, Sister James timidly becomes her spy.
The film does contain some adult content involving a sexual inference and has been rated PG-13.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Doubt is a very good drama for those that like strong confrontational films. (4 of 5 stars)