Doubt is a film that explores the concept of doubt and its effects. It begins in a Catholic school church with Father Flynn (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) giving a sermon on doubt and it’s interplay with faith. We also meet Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep) who is the tough principal of the school.
Sister James (Amy Adams) is a fairly new nun and teacher at the school. She is fearful of Sister Aloysius and not necessarily in agreement with how she runs the school.
There is a difference in how the nuns who are presided over by Aloysius and the priests who are headed by Father Flynn live. Two dinner scenes demonstrate this.
The nuns’ dinner is a somber affair with little conversation and a sparse meal. In a scene Sister James spits out a piece of food that clearly does not taste good and immediately picks it up and eats it after a look from Sister Aloysius. Aloysius has great power.
The priests’ dinner on the other hand is a hearty feast with bawdy conversation and plenty of smoking.
This is all set up to examine the idea of doubt. Donald Miller (Joseph Foster) is the only black student at the school. Father Flynn starts to show an interest in the boy. This seems to set off sister Aloysius especially when a seemingly odd event is noticed by Sister James. After being sent to see Flynn, Donald returns to class with alcohol on his breath.
Sister Aloysius begins an investigation and battles with Father Flynn. Aloysius even speaks to the boy’s mother (Viola Davis) in an attempt to help the boy or to possibly attempt to get rid of Father Flynn.
There are really no answers in the film. It is a film about doubt and that is what it leaves you with. The acting by all involved is superb and the story is excellent.
**** Four Stars
Director – John Patrick Shanley
Filmic Brevity 