I just realized that my last review was on the movie "Knowing". Kind of weird that this one is on "Doubt". Just a coincidence, I'm sure. But really, are there ever any coincidences or is there some sort of heebie jeebie cosmic plan afoot? ...........please, excuse me, I digress.
Meryl Streep. What can I say? She is the best actress in the world - at least of any actresses I've ever seen. I also suspect that she is a really nice regular person too. When I saw her at the Academy Awards on television recently, I was certainly struck by how dignified and humble she appears. She doesn't do Hollywood glamorous, but she looks great. She is not caked with makeup, doesn't appear to mind a few lines on her face and seems rather peaceful. As Sister Aloysius Beauvier in Doubt, she once again creates a brilliant character in our memories.I was hesitant to watch a movie revolving around religion, as it just didn't sound like something that would be entertaining. Possibly enlightening, but not entertaining. I was wrong. This is a full scale drama that is entertaining. Every character is interesting. Philip Seymour Hoffman, also another great actor in my opinion, portrays the role of Father Brendan Flynn and just as we see with the Meryl Streep performance, he becomes the character. Their performances are so finely tuned, that you no longer watch their performance, but you watch their characters as if they are real. This is acting. Both were deservedly nominated for Academy Awards although neither one won (not that they haven't before, though). They were powerhouses on the screen together - wow.
Amy Adams, she of Enchanted, Junebug (the first movie I saw her in), Miss Pettigrew Lives for A Day and many others, is Sister James, a wide-eyed young nun who teaches in the Catholic school where Sister Aloysius is the principal from hell. Sister James and Sister Aloysius develop a sort of interesting relationship that is part admiration for each other mixed with outrage on the part of Sister James and I believe, envy on the part of Sister Aloysuis. Whatever the case, it's great to watch it unfold and develop.
The story revolves around a suspicion regarding Father Flynn and one of the male students at the school. Sister James believes she has seen something that is untoward and so she shares it with the principal. This sets the principal off on a quest to remove him from the parish based mainly upon her suspicions and lack of hard facts. You will have to watch the movie to see how this all turns out.
It's a movie for mature audiences, not for any language or sexual content, but for sophistication of the dialog and story. My movie partner and I liked it a lot.
A side note: I am very, very excited to see that Meryl Streep will star as Julia Child and that Amy Adams will co-star with her in an upcoming movie. I have several Julia Child cookbooks, used to watch all of her cooking shows, have made lots of her recipes and so, so look forward to seeing my favorite actress playing my favorite chef. Can't wait.
Rating for "Doubt"
Here's the trailer:
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