Director: John Patrick Shanley
Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Viola Davis.
Rating: (M) Movie reviews
Guaranteed to send shivers down the spine of any convent-schooled viewers, Doubt is a highly engrossing take on truth, hearsay and the Catholic chain of command.
In one corner, Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is for all intents and purposes the kindly conduit between adolescent students and adulthood.
In the other, Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep) the control-obsessed school principal has a particularly blunt axe to grind with more than just her students.
On just the flimsiest of evidence, Aloysius confronts Flynn with her suspicion that he has interfered with the school's lone black pupil.
As an almighty can of ecclesiastical worms erupts within the small Bronx school, doubt, hearsay and prejudice are all brought to the fore by two top-shelf performances.
Streep and Seymour Hoffman are obviously in their element as they trade blows armed with an extremely sharp script.
Based on director John Patrick Shanley's highly successful play, Doubt visually realises nuances that no stage direction could ever hope to achieve.
Clever pacing, great writing and innovative shot selection ensure that early in 2009, Doubt has set the bar high.
Best thing: Strangely enough, as brilliant as Seymour Hoffman is, Streep's steely bitterness wins the day.
Worst thing: The uncomfortable theme of clergy child abuse.
See it with: A warm coat - the washed-out colour palate and winter setting make Doubt one cold film.
-Mark Orton
