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Film Title: Doubt

 Best for ages: 13 & Up

Movie Website: Click Here

Year Released: 2008

Rated: PG-13 (US)

SYNOPSIS

  Set in 1964 at St. Nicholas Church in the Bronx, Fr. Brendan Flynn’s (Philip Seymour Hoffman) progressive views and charismatic presence have won him the respect and admiration of the congregation. At the parish school, principal Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Meryl Streep) keeps her students in line with old-fashioned fear and intimidation. When young Sister James (Amy Adams) shares with Sister Aloysius her concern that that Father Flynn has "taken an interest" in twelve-year-old Donald Miller (Joseph Foster), the school's "first Negro student," the older nun launches her own investigation. Determined to protect every one of her charges, Sister Aloysius
attempts to use the evidence she discovers to have Flynn removed from the school. John Patrick Shanley’s finely shaded script takes audiences through a spectrum of truth, emotion and belief, and asks if any decision is ever free from doubt.

The Review

   I heard a lot of good things about DOUBT, but didn't think is was going to be one of those films that I would enjoy so much. However now after viewing the movie, I think it should of swept up some awards at this years Academy awards.

   Talk about a perfectly written script; after all the years I've spent watching and reviewing films, this is the first movie where I can actually say the script was perfect. Everything from the story, the dialogue and the imagery were nothing short of perfection. Some may argue that some of the scenes are a bit long, but the dialogue was so perfectly written and the suspense and mystery of the story keep you paying attention to every detail.

   The acting in the film is top notch. We all know Meryl Streep is a great actress, but this film assures us that she's like a fine wine as her skills as an actor have only gotten better with age. Her performance was out of this world as a strict conservative women of the cloth. Amy Adam's whom I'm used to being in  comedies and children fantasies such as enchanted and voicing a character in UNDERDOG, really proved to us, the viewer, that she's more than just your average actress in a comedy. This is a script that challenged her as an actress and she achieved her goal by giving a solid performance.  Philip Seymour Hoffman also gave one great performance as well as the likable but shady Father Flynn. I also have to mention the performance of Viola Davis, who's screen time was so limited yet her performance was so strong that it garnished her a well deserved best supporting actress nomination along side her co-star Amy Adams. Each one of these fine actors was nominated for an Oscar this year, but surprisingly none of them won. Which I personally think is a mistake on the academy part.

   The films production value is very simple yet effective. There is a lot of foreshadowing and undertones that hint towards the direction the story is going. The set and costume design was very simple.  With the sets however, they were lit and dressed in such a way that it really bought out the emotions in the story. Every thing from the direction to the cinematography were suburb.  I really have nothing bad to say about this film at all. It's a perfectly made film. 

   The DVD has a few special features which include a featurette as how the movie went from stage to screen. There are also featurettes on the scoring of the film, which I failed to mention is great as well. The Cast of DOUBT, The Sisters of Charity, and feature commentary with writer/director John Patrick Shanley.

   Overall, there is not doubt that DOUBT is one of the best films that was released last year, and in my personal opinion deserved a lot more praise and awards than it received. It's a very well made film, that is not only entertaining but hits us in the heart with its characters and the social and ethical issues that are bought up in the film. It a film that will keep you guessing to the very end and will stay with you well after the film is over. 

What makes this film for adults only....

Violence:

Fighting: YES

Killing: NO

Guns: NO

Gun Fights: NO

People/Animals being shot (by gun ,arrow or other projectile weapons): NO

Stabbing/Strangling: NO

Bombings: NO

Women harmed/killed:NO

Children harmed/killed: YES

Domestic Violence: YES (Mentioned on screen, but not shown)

Animated Violence: (Cartoon Violence similar to Looney Toons) NO

Graphic Content:

Sex: NO

Nudity: NO

Partial Nudity (Underwear/bra/bikini): NO

Revealing Clothes (Cleavage/low cut shorts/pants): NO

Blood: YES

Shootings: NO

Gore: NO

Sickness: NO

Death: NO

People Dying: NO

Drowning: NO

Suicide: NO

Police Brutality: NO

Corruption: YES

Drug Use: NO

Alcohol Use: YES

Smoking: NO

Greed: YES

Gambling: NO

Language:

Insults (Jerk, Idiots etc..) YES

Cursing: NO

Crude Language: NO

Sexual Innuendos:YES

Sexual Insults:NO

Sexual Come-ons: NO

Adult Conversations: YES

BUY THIS MOVIE.