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Doubt - 2/2/2009 8:17:33 PM   
Empire Admin

 

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Post #: 1
Those last 5 seconds...... - 3/2/2009 9:20:29 PM   
coopster

 

Posts: 23
Joined: 1/5/2006
Was it me or did Streep devour the ham in those final seconds?? Whilst it was unintentionally hilarious and garnered many laughs from the audience it thankfully did not destroy an otherwise great film. I blame Mamma Mia...

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Post #: 2
Enigmatic, but full of clues - 4/2/2009 1:57:21 PM   
Theo Stoller

 

Posts: 1
Joined: 4/2/2009
Having read Empire's review, I was quite surprised by the lack of attention that was apparently paid to actual clues and events in the film. I was particularly surprised by the description of Philip Seymour Hoffman's Father Flynn as "so apparently decent". This was not my impression at all.

Please check out the nuances in the film. Watch William London's face any time he is in a scene with Father Flynn. And most of all, listen to Flynns arguments when he speaks to Sister James in the garden. Does he really reach out to all people? And does Sister Aloysius never show compassion for anyone? There are several telling scenes addressing just these issues.

Meryl Streep's character Sister Aloysius may come across as the demon described in Empire's review, but again, listen to what she says, try to see if she is generally right about people. It is particularly telling when Sister James has stood up for herself with a breahtless rant to notice which element of the rant Sister Aloysius chooses to address.

There may be no real answer given in the film, but add the various elements, and a lot becomes clear, not least of which, the reason for the final scene.

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Post #: 3
In Doubt - 10/2/2009 6:47:12 AM   
Morgan123

 

Posts: 2
Joined: 23/1/2009
I am in doubt of your review Empire :P

Meryl was fantastic, the whole look and feel of the film was good. I thought the samll, low budget, almost theatrical look really suited the script. the cinematography was very good and really gave the whole film its feeling.

To me, there were uestions raised and it frustrated me on the whole becuase I like answers. But Meryl is simply the best, Phillip Seymour Hoffman is conniving and raises more questions to me, even despite his ambiguity (I think he's guilty) Amy Adams was amazingly cute and gave it her all, fully deserving her second oscar Nomination. Viola Davis blew me off the screen and the film was fully enjoyed by the group I was with.

(I'm 18, so its proof the film can extend out to a younger audience)

Its really a film that makes us think, like The Dark Knight in a way, not COMPARING them at all, but the questions of morals underly them both and that's what made me rate it as my top film so far of 2009!

Oh and there's Meryl... while I think the Academy can't ignore Kate any longer, Meryl fully deserves another oscar for this.

Pity it had to be this year...

although there always can be a suprise


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Post #: 4
In Doubt - 10/2/2009 6:47:20 AM   
Morgan123

 

Posts: 2
Joined: 23/1/2009
I am in doubt of your review Empire :P

Meryl was fantastic, the whole look and feel of the film was good. I thought the samll, low budget, almost theatrical look really suited the script. the cinematography was very good and really gave the whole film its feeling.

To me, there were uestions raised and it frustrated me on the whole becuase I like answers. But Meryl is simply the best, Phillip Seymour Hoffman is conniving and raises more questions to me, even despite his ambiguity (I think he's guilty) Amy Adams was amazingly cute and gave it her all, fully deserving her second oscar Nomination. Viola Davis blew me off the screen and the film was fully enjoyed by the group I was with.

(I'm 18, so its proof the film can extend out to a younger audience)

Its really a film that makes us think, like The Dark Knight in a way, not COMPARING them at all, but the questions of morals underly them both and that's what made me rate it as my top film so far of 2009!

Oh and there's Meryl... while I think the Academy can't ignore Kate any longer, Meryl fully deserves another oscar for this.

Pity it had to be this year...

although there always can be a suprise


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Post #: 5
so-so movie....great performances, Streep was great but... - 15/2/2009 6:08:15 PM   
mosephland

 

Posts: 32
Joined: 11/12/2007
It's a very clever and smart movie. Much better than I expcted. But there were something that just didn't click or work.
But what definately worked: the performances. The four oscar nominated performances are so worthy. WHile I agree empire that Streep was the show I have to say that all of the other three performances were just as rivoting. And the biggest impression for me was actually VIOLA DAVIS! WHAT A SCENE! WHAT A CHARACTER! and in only 10 minutes...

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Post #: 6
RE: so-so movie....great performances, Streep was great... - 17/2/2009 10:17:35 PM   
Bickle


Posts: 721
Joined: 30/9/2005
Watched this a couple of nights ago. I really enjoyed it. Great performances from Streep and Hoffman.

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Post #: 7
RE: so-so movie....great performances, Streep was great... - 19/2/2009 10:01:53 AM   
Drone


Posts: 959
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It's vastly mediocre, but streep gives a very, very good performance.

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Post #: 8
RE: so-so movie....great performances, Streep was great... - 19/2/2009 12:36:30 PM   
adambatman82

 

Posts: 11156
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From: Sheffield
 i saw this last friday and really enjoyed it. its nice to see hoffman back in the sort of roles he did prior to capote, as outside of before the devil knows your dead i think hes played it very safe. meryl streep was a powerhouse throughout, and amy adams proved great support. the film was shot by roger deakins, the guy behind the assassination of jesse james by the coward robert ford and no country for old men, and i thought he managed to make a very theatrically grounded film look incredibly cinematic. alongside the wrestler and revolutionary road its my favourite picture of this awards season.

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Post #: 9
RE: so-so movie....great performances, Streep was great... - 19/2/2009 7:02:39 PM   
kargon


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From: BOWELS OF HELL
 Has Hoffman won an Oscar?  I haven't seen this but what I've seen him in he deserves one.

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Post #: 10
Without a doubt a great film - 19/2/2009 9:23:46 PM   
THE DALTONATOR

 

Posts: 80
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Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, AMy Adams and Viola Davis all great performances which carry an interesting mystery tale which keep you thinking long after the credits roll.

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Post #: 11
RE: so-so movie....great performances, Streep was great... - 20/2/2009 2:06:41 PM   
Groovy Mule

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: kargon

Has Hoffman won an Oscar?  I haven't seen this but what I've seen him in he deserves one.


Yes he won Best Actor for Capote 3 or 4 years ago.

Good but not great and I have no doubt (pun not intended) that this works far better on stage.  The main problem I had with the film was some of the direction - scenes shot at frankly bizarre diagonal angles, the inappropriate horror motives, the underplaying of some scenes at the expense of other vastly overplayed scenes.  I also found the performance of Meryl Streep far too big for the screen.

There are some really interesting themes at work here - how much evidence do you need to convict, do people who devote their lives to a belief suffer from doubt and how do they reconcile that, what does it mean to be religious but they need more time to breathe and be shaped than the film can give them.

As for the central question, did Father Flynn do anything wrong, I think despite other criticisms I had heard, I think the film does just enough to leave the matter open for discussion and the fact that I think I disagree with the views of other people who have seen it and commented here suggests that the film works on that level.

*** POSSIBLE SPOILERS LIKELY ***

My own personal view is that Flynn is innocent of the charges put to him.  The proof put forward is flimsy and circumstantial at best and Sister Aloysius needs to be certain of his guilt because she has doubts over her own faith.  Hence, she uses her allegation that she has spoken to his previous parishes because she either knows or suspects some form of previous wrongdoing or falling out at that parish but her certainty is not based on fact, merely conjecture.

*** 

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Post #: 12
4 stars, no doubt! - 20/2/2009 4:29:01 PM   
filmsunlimited

 

Posts: 95
Joined: 20/2/2009
An excellent film. The fact that (SPOILER...) Flynn is never proved either innocent or guilty adds to the appeal of the film, it shows how such accusations play out in real life. Although it is flagged up adequately that Flynn has been - erm - dipping the holy wick where it shouldnt be dipped, who are the general public to know when Flynn is 'moved upstairs' out of harms way.

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Post #: 13
Disheartening that Amy Adams did not win Best Supporting - 23/2/2009 7:11:51 PM   
melp180

 

Posts: 1
Joined: 19/2/2009
With the Oscars announced, and so many epic performances slipping away unrecognised, I can't help but think the biggest loss for this picture is in fact Amy Adams. Playing the moral compass of Streep's so-called 'certainty' of the situation; she really does shine.
Modest performances like these seen in 'Doubt' are outshone by the bohemian trend of independant projects and 'underdogs' such as 'Slumdog Millionaire'.

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Post #: 14
bit harsh really - 27/2/2009 12:17:30 AM   
johnpond1989

 

Posts: 35
Joined: 26/8/2008
This film worked i believe due to ALL of the cast Phillip Seymour Hoffman especially... The movie makes us question the very notion of even the nicest of the charcters as well as questioning our own views and ideals in relation to the church. There is alot of people who believe this happens everyday (And it could) so with that and other factors in our mind we can reason with all sides of the debate and while no clear answer is presented it definetely is compelling stuff. I can recommend this to anyone who enjoys great cinema

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Post #: 15
RE: bit harsh really - 2/3/2009 9:42:00 AM   
MOTH

 

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From: Sittin' on the dock of the bay
 An intelligent, dialogue driven story, but fairly clumsy in its execution, particular the overuse of 'symbolic' weather. As you'd expect, this is an actor's showpiece, but personally I found Adams too irritating and Streep too mannered and scenery-chewing to be truly credible. Luckily, we have the brilliant Hoffman to save the day, whose superby ambiguous performance keeps the interest and the moral boundaries shifting. Unfortunately, this ambiguity is undermined by a crucial scene late on, in which the script flounders a bit and strongly suggests whether or not Fr Flynn is guilty of the accusations against him. Ironically, a film called Doubt could have done with a little more doubt in it to be most effective. (6/10)

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Post #: 16
This, Milk and Frost/Nixon were the best acted movies o... - 3/3/2009 9:37:35 PM   
Romarth


Posts: 45
Joined: 30/12/2007
From: Dublin
 A poignantly discerning, if slightly restrained, look at the caustic parallels of belief and faith, told through a wonderfully simple premise and bravura performances mystically tinged with darkness.

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Post #: 17
Doubt - 7/3/2009 5:27:07 PM   
moviemaniac2


Posts: 525
Joined: 17/9/2006
It opens very strongly, concentrating on the kids, and their routine, before introducing us to the iron-fisted Sister Beauvier and the far more congenial Fr Flynn. He's popular and the kids love him, whilst she is feared and hated by the students in equal measure. Is she just grated by his new age approach to preaching the word of God, or does she genuinely think that he may be guilty of what he has been accused? Heavy, ponderous questions that are asked beautifully by the three excellent leads. If one does stand out, however, it's Adams. A fantastic actress, she's subtle and affecting here, managing to steal scenes from the two Oscar winning heavyweights sparring in front of her.


It opens very strongly, concentrating on the kids, and their routine, before introducing us to the iron-fisted Sister Beauvier and the far more congenial Fr Flynn. He's popular and the kids love him, whilst she is feared and hated by the students in equal measure. Is she just grated by his new age approach to preaching the word of God, or does she genuinely think that he may be guilty of what he has been accused? Heavy, ponderous questions that are asked beautifully by the three excellent leads. If one does stand out, however, it's Adams. A fantastic actress, she's subtle and affecting here, managing to steal scenes from the two Oscar winning heavyweights sparring in front of her.









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Post #: 18
- 4/5/2009 1:33:19 PM   
willchadwick

 

Posts: 310
Joined: 13/3/2007
Very well acted all round from a cast of heavy weights, dramatic and brilliantly written piece of filmmaking. Where it falls flat is the slight inability to lift itself from the stage to film.

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Post #: 19
Good But Left With Unanswered Questions. - 7/6/2009 9:50:11 AM   
joanna likes films

 

Posts: 987
Joined: 27/10/2007
From: Bexhill
 I wanted to see this when it came out so I waited and rented it out to watch last night. It begins with Philip Seymour Hoffman as Father Flynn talking about doubt which raise alarms to Meryl Streep thinking that he's taking advantage to a young black boy and wants him out of the school/church. Only Amy Adams can really know if he's inconcent or not, does she believe him or Streep? It's a tense film, filled with gripping moments and some outstanding acting from the three main leads. Problem is there is a lot of questions left unanswered and the ending is frustating but it's a really good film if you pay a lot of attention and prepare to be shocked from Streep's happy pefomance in Mamma Mia to a horrid old woman in this, she is indeed a witch and cruel but does it well. Worthy three stars.

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Post #: 20
- 28/6/2009 7:57:11 PM   
PaulJohn


Posts: 91
Joined: 30/4/2006
From: Aberdeen, Scotland
 A great actors film. Brilliant performances from everyone especially Mery Streep and, an all too brief, Viola Davis.

One of the best acted films i've seen this year.

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Post #: 21
Hello, Empire - Meryl wasn't on her own... - 20/9/2009 7:33:06 PM   
eddieryan


Posts: 55
Joined: 15/10/2005
From: Oxford
 Yes Ian - all very relevant I'm sure - but did you notice there were other people in the film? Amy Adams? The amazing Philip Seymour Hoffman? The understated Viola Davis? Isn't the job of a reviewer to review the main performances as well as the overall adaptation of a movie? I thought it was brilliantly-acted (which is what I, as a layman watching a Streep/Hoffman movie expect) & the scene in Streep's office between her & Hoffman should be used in every drama school as a shining example of what all student actors should aspire to. Wonderful

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Post #: 22
Everyone is missing the point. Guilty or not guilty can... - 13/10/2009 10:12:28 AM   
Seamus. Pat.

 

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Great story and fanastic acting. Scene with Hoffman and Streep in the office was as tense and gripping as any I have ever watched. Some viewers are missing the point. Is he guilty or not? This is not the question that needs answered in the movie. It is left for the viewer to decide. Streep's character who was adamant that priest was guilty throughout the movie, had the last words "I have doubts" ... i.e. about her faith, her past, her life and ultimately about the guilt of Fr. Flynn. What a cracking story and plot.

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Post #: 23
RE: so-so movie....great performances, Streep was great... - 13/10/2009 10:57:40 AM   
Seamus. Pat.

 

Posts: 27
Joined: 12/10/2009
Interesting to note that you believe something "didn't click" An absolutly superb movie. For me, what didn't click is that it was set in the wrong country. It needed to be set in a country that is predominately Catholic and the where church had its invisible cloak of control over its people.

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Post #: 24
RE: Doubt - 16/10/2009 1:13:24 AM   
Ezzieblue

 

Posts: 28
Joined: 4/9/2009
This movie was a lot more religious then what I was expecting, not to mention LONG. I suppose it was a good movie, though I found the camera angles a bit annoying. Some scenes were longer than it should have been and the acting had its moments where it was just corny. I wouldn't necessarily re-watch this movie but I guess if I had to, I would. Either way, it's not worth it.

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Post #: 25
- 28/12/2009 9:58:33 PM   
Blue Ryan

 

Posts: 185
Joined: 31/7/2008
A drama of the highest order and the ensemble cast are utterly amazing, stunningly lead by Hoffman and streep

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Post #: 26
Great movie, brilliant acting. - 20/3/2010 3:46:05 PM   
tysmuse

 

Posts: 255
Joined: 24/9/2007
Streep is so terrifying, I really found myself hating her! Hoffman is also superb. Wholly compelling stuff, the end kind of throws a double turns, first the truth about the phone call and then Streep's "confession" if you will. Very engaging.

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Post #: 27
Exceptional drama - 7/4/2010 4:06:26 PM   
djphilips

 

Posts: 104
Joined: 26/12/2008
From: Malta
 This will surely be one of the most underrated and overlooked films of the year. Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman both turn in beautiful performances, while Shanley's writing and directing are some of the best work I have ever seen. The central theme of doubt in the film creates a uniquely thought-provoking experience, which is expertly communicated to the audience by Shanley's seemingly unexperienced slight of hand.
Doubt will remind you of what films are supposed to be like - and not utterly useless fodder such as 10, 000 BC. This is certainly a must-see.

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Post #: 28
American Heavyweights show the world how acting is done - 15/5/2010 12:55:01 AM   
monkeyhumour

 

Posts: 254
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Meryl Streep squaring off with Phillip Seymour Hoffman, a battle of the wits

This is not boring, it is raw, intense in the moment stuff

I remember thinking 'I doubt Phil Hoffmans character is guilty' and doubt is an interesting word in discussing this picture.

Not for conservative movie goers, but they get five movies every week

With love from New Zealand

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Post #: 29
- 29/1/2013 4:33:22 PM   
Whistler


Posts: 2270
Joined: 22/11/2006
Lacks a lasting impact, but very gripping throughout with electric performances from Hoffman, Streep and Adams. Certainly not clunky.

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Post #: 30
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