Film Review: Doubt

Does anyone else find it irritating when a film is left open to interpretation? Whatever happened to a good old fashioned conclusion, where the characters would get together at the end and high five their accomplishments over the course of the film? Admittedly in Doubt this wouldn't be particularly appropriate, as nuns aren't really known for their high-fiving prowess, but at least it would have left the film on a high note.

Instead your left with a film that has you chase a hundred different threads throughout, before they all tangle together in one unsatisfactory ball, leaving you to figure out which bit of string was the most significant. Which normally isn't particularly bad, but after sitting through something so drawn out and tedious a conclusive ending would have been much more rewarding.

The plot itself - if you've not already been put off - follows Sister Aloysius, the headmistress at a Bronx Catholic school, as she tries to force a local priest, Father Flynn, to admit his illicit advances on an altar boy. Aloysius' campaign against Flynn results in confrontations with just about every character, which make for the best moments in the film. Unfortunately, these better moments are separated by a ton of meaningless and boring scenes, giving Doubt the aforementioned drawn out and tedious quality that will likely turn off most cinema-goers.

Still, there's a plus side to everything, and with Doubt it's the performances, all of which are superb. Although that was obvious just from the trailer, which lists off a cast riddled with Academy Award winners and nominees. Meryl Streep is fantastic as the stern Sister Aloysius, a stark contrast to her recent role in the song-and-dance cheese-fest Mama Mia. Philip Seymour Hoffman, too, is brilliant as Father Flynn, but it doesn't seem as if he can set a foot wrong in whatever he does at the moment. Amy Adams, the only one who has not previously picked up an Academy Award, stakes her claim for one here with a wonderful performance as the timid and naive Sister James. Each one has picked up an Academy Award nomination for their respective roles, and it can be said without any doubt (come on, I had to) that they're all well deserved.

Aside from the performances, Doubt doesn't really have much going for it. While it's flecked with some fantastic and dramatic moments it remains, for the most part, a tedious hour and a half. Stick to plays next time, Shanley.

3/5
If you have seen this film and didn't spend half your time singing Stephen Lynch's 'Altar Boy', then you just don't have a sense of humour.

Got through the whole film without giggling at the word "rectory" - tomdoodle16@live.co.uk