Full Movie Reviews
Rating of
3.5/4
Doubt
worleyjamers - wrote on 06/29/2013
Based on a play, also entitled "Doubt," the film unfolds much like a piece of theater would with the dialogue and actors all in the spotlight. It's in this way that Doubt ultimately succeeds. The performances are all fantastic. Meryl Streep is brilliant in the lead role, while Philip Seymour Hoffman owns as the Priest and Amy Adams shines in a more reserved role; throughout the film, I found myself anxious for the next scene where the 3 would be together because they had great chemistry. Also Viola Davis delivers a great performance, she has only one scene in the film but makes it count by stealing it from the great Meryl Streep. All 4 garnered Oscar nominations. The film also benefits from a really good screenplay. It is never too obvious in delivering its themes and topics, but the …
Rating of
3/4
Acting says it all
Rod - wrote on 03/12/2012
Sister Aloysius Beauvier is the principal of the church-run school St. Nicholas, who has her own way of handling and disciplining students. Suspicion arises in her when Sister James comes to her and told her about a particular black student called one day by Father Flynn and comes back to class upset and with a scent of alcohol on his breath. These information, not supported with any other evidence and witness, make Sister Beauvier doubt the priest.
***
I understand why this movie failed to snatch trophies and awards as a film in general. But what is much clearer is why this particular movie received awards for its commendable actors. Without any doubt, Streep, Hoffman, Adams, and Davis had knock-out performances in here making every scene worth watching. They delivered …
Rating of
3/4
Great Acting, No Doubt
Gustavo² - wrote on 07/29/2010
Créditos pela qualidade de um filme tendem a ser, em geral e quase aleatoriamente, atribuídos ao diretor, atitude que pode resvalar num equívoco: a experiência proporcionada em Dúvida se deve, em grande parte, pelo conflito de personalidades e motivações eclodido entre personagens construídos com todo o know-how ao alcance de intérpretes de primeira categoria como Streep e Philip Seymour Hoffman. Conduzido com elegância comportada, parcimônia deliberada e distanciamento um tanto gélido pelo autor da peça original homônima – competente o bastante atrás das câmeras para não denunciar as raízes teatrais do material -, o drama é sustentado pelo entrechoque de olhares desconfiados, tensos duelos verbais, angústias interiores e ambiguidades deixadas no ar, elementos estes …
Rating of
3.5/4
Without a Doubt!! Outstanding Movie!
mdtinney - wrote on 07/18/2009
This was a superb film! Riveting performances from Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman highlight this intense story of a 1964 Bronx, New York Catholic school's head nun and its chief priest, who are at odds with each other. As Sister Aloysius Beauvier, Streep is a staunch and conservatively no-nonsense disciplinarian who looks down with disdain on the free-spirited progressive ways of Father Brendan Flynn (Hoffman). Joining the father in his modern way of thinking is the youngest nun in the church, an 8th grade teacher called Sister James (Amy Adams). But there is cause for concern when Sister James uncovers evidence that the well-liked Father Flynn may be engaging in improper conduct with the only black student in the school, a 12-year-old boy named Donald. Sister Aloysius seizes …
Rating of
4/4
Some of the Best Performances of the Year
Franz Patrick - wrote on 01/18/2009
There is no doubt in my mind that this film contained some of the best performances of the year. If Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep do not get nominated for Best Supporting Actor and Best Actress, respectively, an injustice would’ve been done. I love how this film’s thesis was established during the first scene: how doubt can be as powerful as certainty. I have three stand-out scenes that I thought were exemplary: the feathers and their symbolism, Streep’s heartbreaking talk with Viola Davis, and Streep’s final confrontation with Hoffman. Out of those three scenes, I’d say the one with Davis is the most powerful because of all the implications. Issues such as the home, color of one’s skin, and one’s “nature”/embracing God’s gift are all mixed to justify a …
Rating of
1.5/4
Very dull, acting was the only high-point
Josh C - wrote on 12/28/2008
A movie is only as good as its plot and I just didn't care about this one at all. Sure the acting was great, but why the heck would I want to watch a movie with good acting when the story was so dull. It was boring to watch, actually one of my friends fell asleep, and the ending left me wondering why I don't attend Catholic mass anymore (because clearly Catholic mass is far more exciting).
As I left the theatre (on opening night) a man turned to me and said "No wonder there was only 5 people in the theatre." I can't express how disappointed I was with this movie, the acting was really the only thing it had going for it. With that said, it will probably win best picture or a golden globe and show, yet again, that Hollywood's critics are more artsy and cooler than the rest of us.
Rating of
4/4
Strongest cast of the year
patjohnson76 - wrote on 12/14/2008
You probably won't find a better cast than what you get with Doubt. Based on a play from one of today's best playwrights, Doubt traces a possible inappropriate relationship between a priest and child. Set against the backdrop of the early 60s, an underlying battle exists between the progressive Fr. Flynn (Hoffman) and the traditional Sr. Aloysius (Streep), who makes choices that challenge the hierarchy of the Catholic church. The cast also includes the naive Sr. James (Adams) and the child-in-question's mother, played in movie-stealing fashion by Viola Davis, who makes her few minutes in the film incredible.
While all are cast in great roles, it is Streep who turns in one of her strongest performances, as she attempts to prove her suspicions as the dominating principal. Some will …
