Movie Review: ‘Doubt’ (2008) starring Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman

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Doubt takes place in a Catholic school in the Bronx in the 1960s, the story is centered on a nun who grows suspicious when a priest begins taking too much interest in the life of a young black student. The question is – is she being overly protective or not protective enough? And can she work within the system to discover the truth?

The school is ruled by the severe principal Sister Aloysius, (Streep) and on the opposite end, there is Father Brendan (Hoffman), a jovial priest whom the kids love and respect. Caught in the middle is the young, impressionable Sister James who seems truly dedicated to her young students.

The problem lies where Sister Aloysius doesn’t appreciate women being considered second class citizens in the Catholic Church. She’s frustrated and powerless to do anything to change the pecking order and it’s Father Brendan who becomes the target of her ire when he denies the charges.
 
The dialogue throughout the film is powerful and many of the ideas surround themes such as religion and authority. I loved the acting and the intriguing storyline makes this a fantastic film worth watching.   
 
 

Originally posted 2014-03-21 22:31:01.

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