Doubt: Review By MovieGuyMatt

I am not Catholic. I KNOW a lot of Catholics. I have been to many Catholic weddings. I am quite familiar with Catholicism. And EVERYONE is familiar with the scandal(s) this sect of Christianity has faced, especially recently. Going in to "Doubt," my hope was that it would avoid being preachy-pardon the pun-and focus on the underlying issues that the topic matter suggests.

I was unaware that not only did "Doubt" have its origins in the form of a play, but that the writer of said play, John Patrick Shanley also wrote this screenplay as well as directed the film himself. The play has won a Pulitzer AND a Tony award.

Match that up with A-list talent in Meryl Streep and Phillip Seymour Hoffman (and now Amy Adams I think as well) and one would think you'd have a recipe for success. You would not be wrong.

The film IS about whether or not PSH's character, the charming Father Flynn, is a pedophile or not. However, I really felt that this story line was merely the canvas on which the art was placed. There was so much more depth to it than just a dirty (or not) priest. The themes range from, obviously, doubt, to trust, faith, morality, ethics, love, idealism.

These things plague all our thoughts and drive our emotions. They are in great part, what makes us ourselves. And to doubt any of them is to be lost. It makes us question whether we know who we are, WHAT we are. And if we do not know ourselves, how can we know anyone else? CAN we know someone else, and yet doubt who WE are?

This film's strength lies in its ability to make us see the importance, and the danger, of what doubt can do to each of us.

The performances here were remarkable and I fully expect to see some Academy nominations, maybe even the same ones the Golden Globes noticed. They are all deserving. Meryl Streep continues to be one of the greats, and gives a truly riveting performance. Of special note was Amy Adams, who I last saw in "Enchanted." If she does not get a nod for this film it will be a travesty because she was simply amazing. It IS frustrating that Hoffman got the nomination for this film but not for "Synecdoche N.Y." because I felt that while he was great in "Doubt," he was even better in THAT film.

The topic matter here is fairly deep and maybe even somewhat unsettling for some viewers. Since it DOES hold relevance for the Catholic Church and those of its faith, I could see certain people being offended or upset over its very existence. It was handled wonderfully, and though I can't imagine ever watching it again, I would really love to see the play performed. Watching this film, one could certainly tell that it's roots and those of the director were firmly entrenched in the theater.

If you are really itching to see this, you won't feel bad paying full price, but this film would carry its weight just as well on your big screen at home. Either way, it shouldn't be missed.