christianwn-63064 This was just a fantastic human movie about life, with some of the best acting I have seen in my life.

laalmadeguerra In 1964 Father Flynn, a parish priest in a Catholic church in the Bronx, reads a sermon about doubt and its unifying power - because everyone doubts. Soon he will have to test his theses in practice. The parish school where he teaches is dominated by stern Sister Aloysius. The suspicion is that Father Flynn, a kindhearted humanist with too long nails, is in an immoral-intimate relationships with the only Afro-American and the first Afro-American pupil of the school, runs his Sister Aloysius to action. Sister Aloysius doesn't have any evidence but is not doubt a burden that any person who chooses an action for the glory of his ideals should bear? The action takes place in autumn and winter and the weather we see outside (grey skies, a thunderstorm, snow) seems to reflect the characters' emotions. Although the film is set in the sixties, the style of decor of the rooms, and most of the furniture, suggests a date several decades before that, adding to the atmosphere of intellectual conservatism. The theme of doubt runs through the film. It opens with Father Flynn giving a sermon on the nature of doubt and concluding that like faith, it can be a unifying force. It ends, after Flynn has been forced to resign, with Aloysius admitting in tears to Sister James, "I have such doubts". I was disappointed by the ending which seems too abrupt and does not clarify the nature of Aloysius's doubts. Did she mean doubts about her faith in general, or doubts about Flynn's guilt? Or doubts about the justice of a God who can allow a guilty man to go unpunished? (After the resignation Flynn was transferred by the Church authorities to another, more prestigious, parish; effect a promotion). It is certainly true that in some cases an outward view of certainty can hide inner doubts and conflicts, but as Aloysius has still appeared a person of firm convictions, untroubled by doubts of any kind, this sudden, unexplained revelation comes as a shock. The movie's biggest strength is the acting. All three leading actors did a fine job and this was necessary to carry a film that has no special effects, explosions or love scenes. The vagueness of the film is also a strength. After all, the film gets the audience thinking and yet there is definitely no clear answer as to what really occurred in the film. There is lots of room to foster discussions and debate. As usual, Meryl Streep eclipsed everyone and everything with her unlimited talent. She really succeeded in acting the role of a strong-willed women. But Philip Seymour Hoffman also played very emotionally. The episode in the office where the two opponents grabbed in a verbal battle made a great impression on me. I was delighted with their play very much. Viola Davis appeared only for a few minutes, but showed a drama that many actresses will not play in their entire life. And Amy Adams is very convincing in the image of a naive and meek sister. In general, excellent actors, a good story and a pleasant film that leaves an aftertaste. "Doubt" is a doubt as it did not give us an answer to the question: Who was ultimately wrong? And we do not understand who is "bad". Is it the priest with greasy eyes, who, nevertheless, is truly appreciated and respected by the downtrodden boy? Is it the nun who embodies righteousness in its pure form and at the same time confesses that her soul is not at all pure? And who is "good"? Let the viewer decide.

shelep_natalia Recently I have watched the religious drama directed by John Patrick Shanley that is called "Doubt". It is a movie that depicts psychological condition of a person when he or she doubts and doesn't know whose side to take and whom to believe. Moreover, the plot is based on several themes as inequality, racism and so called changing of times, trends and relations. The drama presents the times of reformation and changing, generally speaking, these changes of time cause the change of behavior and relations may be viewed by means of 2 main characters, the principal of a Bronx Catholic High School, Meryl Steep, who is a presenter of old traditions and habitual way of life, and a popular priest (Father Flynn), Philip Seymour Hoffman, who realizes that time hasn't stopped and it is going on as a normal process of development. In terms of their struggle, the principle accuses the priest in pedophilia with his unique in his skin color student (Donald). The actors, who play in this movie, know how to do their works. They have managed to depict the atmosphere of those times, to express the conservative style changed by the modern society that is characterized, first of all, by equal relations. Philip Seymour Hoffman, as a priest, has an image of a kind man, who is ready to help giving a piece of advice or just to sympathize with heart-words, who can't help but give a hand. His play is awesome, his mimes, gestures and his capability of being able to remain calm when the situation is against him.The young nurse (Sister James), Amy Adams, has the same character's peculiarity as the priest. She is kind and helpful, but is one who is between two fires and under the influence of both. By the way, she has managed to express all those emotions that you feel when you really doubt, when you feel very deep insight the right answer, but some facts, gossips and influences of others are an example of how it may us confuse. Finally, I love the ending of the movie. Everything and everyone takes its or their own places that I liked most of all after being on the edge of my seat guessing how the priest will solve the problem as well as if the principal estimates the real harm of her actions and the future of Afro-American boy who is suffered by racism of his classmates.Overall, the best thing that is about the movie is that it is still relevant nowadays. Even these days the situations of racism, doubts, hesitation occur in daily life of everyone that underlines the value of this drama. If you are looking for something that makes you rethink some moments of life and analyze your psychological condition, this movie is undoubtedly for you.

elenaleader I am absolutely impressed with the way my brain is organized. Faith is a very meticulous issue for me. I try to avoid this subject in real life communication. When it comes to movies and TV series about belief and religion, I just can't withstand the desire to watch it. Doubt, both directed and written by John Patrick Snanley, depicts the situation happening in the parish school, where a rigorous principal, Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Meryl Streep), together with a young teacher, Sister James (Amy Adams), are starting a crusade against Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) whom they beleive might have close relationship with one of the students.The movie begins with Father Flynn (Hoffman) delievering a sermon about doubt. This monologue reveals the main message of the movie. "Doubt can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainty" So, the audience is given the answer to the riddle just from the start and our aim is just to follow the autthor's and director's storyline and see how far it will go.I can't but pay a great respect to the actors starring in the movie. Meryl Streep did a marvelous job potraying a very dubious character. Her acting was convincing enough to leave no doubt in my heart. I am not much of Amy Adams' lover, but I did enjoy her in this movie. I was deeply impressed with the way she uses facial expression to expose her emotions. The scene of the dinner, where Sister Beauvier (Meryl Streep) and Sister James (Amy Adams) interract without any words, is a good example of two talented actresses showing there capacity to uncover their feelings without verbal communication. I was also fascinated with the starring of Philip Hoffman as Father Flynn. I think he did what he was supposed to, (spolier alert!) he practically made us fall into doubt about him being involved in a relationship with the boy. But most of all I was smitten with the acting of magnificent Viola Davis. Being a huge fan of her in TV series "How To Get Away With Murder", I wasn't surprised by her outstanding but short performance in this movie. She makes us believe every word she produces. She makes us sympathize with her. She makes us understand what she is trying to say. She makes us doubt. Two scenes. 10 minutes on the screen. And such a great impact.Everything that is connected with director work is perfect. Slow movies are precious. Such films let you sneak into every little detail and give you plenty of time to contemplate. Scenes when the camera is still. Perfect. Long monologues. Perfect. No further quesion, Your Honor, John Shanley.Overall, this is a great movie that leaves no one without his ot her personal opinion. The main question remains unanswered, unsolved, covered with mystery. It's up to us to decide whether to blame the person, to sympathize with him or to stay on neutral side. But after wathcing this movie you will have no doubt that DOUBT is as mighty as certainty. Probably, it's even more vigorous as certainty has only one stream, doubt has millions of them. And you have no slightest idea of which one it's going to choose next.