Doubt (2008); drama film review

Poster artwork for the drama film Doubt.

Uncertainties Abound by Linh

Playwright John Patrick Shanley has transposed his Pulitzer Prize-winning play Doubt into a wonderfully performed and beautifully filmed screen adaptation. Shanley also directs the film and ensures each scene and every character hits the emotional mark and carries through with dramatic interplay.

Set in the autumn of 1964 at St. Nicholas Catholic School in the Bronx, the strict and stern Sister Aloysius suspects the charismatic priest Father Flynn is paying too much attention to the new student. After a conversation with the sweetly-innocent Sister James, Sister Aloysius is convinced Father Flynn has acted inappropriately and sets out to expunge him from the school.

UNCERTAIN: Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep) and Sister James (Amy Adams) both suspect Father Flynn in the film Doubt. Image: Miramax Films.

Doubt boasts a sterling ensemble cast headed by Meryl Streep as the no-nonsense, ultra-conservative Sister Aloysius. Streep is tremendously ferocious during times when she draws on her own judgemental ways to portray the iron-fisted Sister Aloysius. In a highlight scene, Streep delivers her words as a spiteful and venomous snake when her character confronts the unsuspecting Father Flynn.

Philip Seymour Hoffman portrays the easy-going and radical Father Flynn with a friendly and approachable manner. Flynn’s little personal quirks draws frowns from Sister Aloysius who dislikes his long fingernails, his preference to using a ballpoint pen and his suggestions of including a secular song like Frosty The Snowman at the Christmas concert.

Amy Adams again shows off her innate ability to depict innocence and naivety as she did in the film [I]Enchanted[/I], only in Doubt she is less lively and more solemn as Sister James. Sister James is the one who planted the seed of doubt in Sister Aloysius’ mind regarding Donald Miller and Father Flynn. Yet her doubts about Father Flynn are soon vanquished as she trusts the goodness in others.

Although a small role, Viola Davis plays Donald Miller’s mother with plenty of emotional vigour, who fights to keep her son at St. Nicholas despite allegations of his alleged abuse. Davis brings on the intensity in a pivotal scene between her character and Sister Aloysius, and her minimum onscreen time leaves maximum impact.

 FAITH: Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) turns to the sympathetic ear of Sister James (Amy Adams) in the film Doubt. Image: Miramax Films.

A major difference between the stage production and the film is the presence of children and the other nuns and parishioners. In the play, Donald Miller is mentioned yet never seen, whereas his presence in the film, played by Joseph Foster II, adds to the suspicion of Father Flynn’s alleged actions. 

The film is part mystery and part debate which raises more questions than it answers. Doubt keeps the viewer wondering if Father Flynn did anything to anyone, if Sister Aloysius was working for her own or the church’s interest when suspecting Father Flynn, and leaves the viewer questioning if the church and its hierarchy were in any way involved or turned a blind eye.

Doubt is a powerfully character-driven independent film with nuanced performances, and a lack of evidence to support any of the allegations, suspicions and uncertainties about the people and/or incidences. The film keeps the viewer undecided on various issues, even after the end credits roll.

QUESTIONING: Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep) seeks support and answers from Mrs Miller (Viola Davis) in the film Doubt. Image: Miramax Films. 

Director: John Patrick Shanley

Writer: John Patrick Shanley (screenplay)

Cast: Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Viola Davis, Alice Drummond, Joseph Foster II, Mike Roukis, Audrie J. Neenan, Paulie Litt

Producers: Scott Rudin, Nora Skinner, Mark Roybal, Celia D. Costas

Cinematographer: Roger Deakins (Director of Photography)

Original Music Composer: Howard Shore

Film Editor: Dylan Tichenor

Production: David Gropman (Production Designer), Peter Rogness (Art Director), Ellen Christiansen (Set Decorator)

Costume Designer: Ann Roth

Running Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes