Doubt (2008/I)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

John Patrick Shanley

Writers (WGA):

John Patrick Shanley (screenplay)
John Patrick Shanley (play)

Release Date:

25 December 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery

Plot:

Set in 1964, Doubt centers on a nun who confronts a priest after suspecting him of abusing a black student. He denies the charges, and much of the play's quick-fire dialogue tackles themes of religion, morality, and authority.

Plot Keywords:

Priest | Nun | Student | 1964 | Boy

Awards:

Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 10 wins & 32 nominations

Cast

Meryl Streep	...	Sister Aloysius Beauvier
Philip Seymour Hoffman	...	Father Brendan Flynn
Amy Adams	...	Sister James
Viola Davis	...	Mrs. Miller
Alice Drummond	...	Sister Veronica
Audrie J. Neenan	...	Sister Raymond (as Audrie Neenan)
Susan Blommaert	...	Mrs. Carson
Carrie Preston	...	Christine Hurley
John Costelloe	...	Warren Hurley
Lloyd Clay Brown	...	Jimmy Hurley
Joseph Foster	...	Donald Miller (as Joseph Foster II)
Mike Roukis	...	William London
Haklar Dezso	...	Zither Player
Frank Shanley	...	Kevin
Robert Ridgell	...	Organist

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for thematic material.

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (certificate #39360) | Ireland:15A | Australia:M | Canada:G (British Columbia) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | UK:15 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:15 | Portugal:M/12 (Qualidade) | Spain:13 | South Africa:13LS | Hong Kong:IIA | New Zealand:M | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Brazil:12 | Argentina:13 | Netherlands:AL | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Czech Republic:12 | Sweden:7 | Mexico:B | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

College of Mount Saint Vincent, Riverdale, Bronx, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Goodspeed Productions

Trivia:

Viola Davis, who was nominated for an Academy Award for her role as Mrs. Miller, in the film, is only in two scenes. The first is an extended dialogue with Meryl Streep's character, Sister Aloysius. In the second, she appears only for about 10 seconds and does not speak.

Goofs:

Continuity: After Sister James asks the children to turn to page 687, the books of the children are lying on the desks on different pages. They should have all been turned to the same placement in their books. (May have been a deliberate error by the filmmakers; students do not necessarily pay attention or always turn to the right pages.)

Quotes:

Sister Aloysius Beauvier: [to Father Flynn] You will tell me what you have done.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2009) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Holy God, We Praise Thy Name

The Dragon Nun and The Wimp

I was taken aback by the lack of nuance and subtlety. Meryl Streep is a monstrous nun from the very beginning and Philip Seymour Hoffman is a wimp that can shout but remains a wimp. I just didn't believe any of it, which is a pity because this are among my favorite actors of all time. I think that John Patrick Shanley (the writer, director) didn't have enough muscle to handle this enormous talents. Meryl's nun couldn't hide anywhere, she carries her intolerance, frustration and repression on her sleeve. She knows she is hated but according to her, that's her job. No, I didn't believe it. I thought what Vanessa Redgrave, Liv Ullman, Helen Mirren even Cherry Jones who played her on the stage could have done with this creature and then, Philip Seymour Hoffman's priest, without a single vibe of sexuality, imagine what Montgomery Clift could have done with that! After saying what I've said I also have to add that the film is never boring and that is also merit of the miscast leads. They are great fun to watch. The film is dedicated to Sister James, the young nun played by the wonderful Amy Adams, so this is based on a real case? I don't believe that either.