Iffy for 16+
Brooding, play-based drama isn't for kids.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this brooding, play-based drama isn't for kids. It tackles questions about God, faith, and evil in a way that will most likely be either uninteresting or too complex for young audiences. Though children are in the cast, the movie's themes are mature -- particularly the question of whether or not a priest has abused a child and how doubt about what happened undoes three main characters. Another storyline examines the patriarchal nature of the Catholic church, despite its dependence on the good works of its (female) nuns. Though there's little swearing, violence, or drinking, the movie isn't meant for kids (and isn't particularly likely to interest them, either).
- Families can talk about the movie's messages. What is it saying about religion? The Catholic church in particular?
- Why do Sister Aloysius and Father Flynn clash? Who's right, and who'swrong? And what of doubt? Do you think Father Flynn is guilty orinnocent?
- Whatcharacteristics do movies based on plays tend to have in common? Do plays always makegood movies? Why or why not?
The good stuff
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Messages: The movie has complex, ambiguous messages about faith. A nun who rules a school with an iron fist accuses a priest of abusing a child, even though she has no proof. Adults subsequently discuss suspicions of pedophelia. A mother seems willing to turn a blind eye to her son's troubles. A novice gives her mother superior ammunition to destroy someone's reputation. Kids give a new student the cold shoulder and make fun of him in class.
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Role models: Although the main characters are usually convinced that they're acting for the right reasons, the decisions they make have complicated, far-reaching consequences. They're too often ruled by manipulation and betrayal, as well as selfishness and fear.
What to watch for
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Violence: A nun and a priest have a fiery shouting match about guilt and innocence. A thin layer of menace hangs over the film when the plot reveals suspected child abuse. A woman talks about how her son is being beaten up by her husband.
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Sex: Not an issue
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Language: Little swearing. On one occasion, the word "bulls--t" is uttered by a child.
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: A priest smokes a cigarette, as does a student. A child is suspected of drinking some wine, which an adult may have given him.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
DOUBT is undoubtable one of the BEST movie of the year! Grade: SOLID A by MOVIES REVIEWER
Dec. 18 - I just attended the advance press screening of this EXCELLENTLY produced/directed/acted 104-minute movie based on a original play by John Patrick Shanley who also directed and screen-wrote this Oscar-worthy movie.
Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Viola Davis were PHENOMENAL in their masterful portrayals. This HIGH caliber of acting skills is certainly why movies SHOULD be made.
Although set in 1964, the heavy themes explored in the movie are applicable to this day and age's trials, tribulations and current events - prejudice, intolerance, obedience, compassion/kindness, faith/religion, etc.
DOUBT is certainly not the usual average Hollywood formulaic mind-numbingly mindless explosion-filled bullet-riddled 'blockbuster' or hollow comedies - it is a substantial movie that is thought-provoking and controversial.
VERDICT:
A MUST SEE movie!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
5
Superb by Cubafriminican
What do you do when you have no doubt, that you aren't sure what you think you're sure about?
Who is god? Who is godlike? And who can judge either?
If you aren't prepared to think, go see this film because it will make you feel, instead.
If you aren't prepared to feel, go see this film, because it will make you think about what think you know for sure.
Meryl Streep was absolutely incredible in her dead-on Catholic school nun with yardsticks for hands. She brilliantly balanced a cold, dogmatic persona with snippets of compassion, in her spoken and body language (so the script was good too). Phillip Seymour Hoffman, another stellar performance. But the best performance of the film, to me, was the 10 minutes or so that Viola Davis got on the screen to wow us. Unbelievable. Intense. Profound. Happy. Sad. Amy Adams was very good, as well. The film was expertly cast, period.
Just a beautiful film. Jarring. Go see it.
5
wonderful by bennyg311
Wonderful movie, wonderful acting, intelligent nuanced plot. Very much enjoyed. Many marks above the usual crap that's put out by hollywood.
5
Doubt by Beverley Taylor
Best film I have seen in years!!! Meryl Streep is clearly the finest American actress
in the country, and her work here is well matched by Philip Seymor Hoffman.
This film is brilliant in all ways: acting, directing, casting, the script, symbolism, photograph. I have never seen the nun, Sister James, before, but she too was
perfectly cast for her role.
I can't give a stronger review. I clung to every word and had no sense of time.
A film that I look forward to seeing again and am encouraging everyone to go.
5
I Had No DOUBT!!!!! by Movieconnoseur
This movies is in fact one of the best movies of the year. All four perfomances are powerhouses and engaging... I am simply astonished as how Meryl Streep and Amy Adams got compeltely absorbed in their characters. Love it so much cant wait for it to come out on bluray!!!!!!!!
5
Doubt by missykay65
This is one of the finest movies of the year. Streep will clearly get the Oscar nod and SHOULD win. Hoffman was good; it's not an Oscar roll, however. I saw the movie with a Nun, and she explained all the nuances and changes to the Roman Catholic law and their Nuns. VERY little has changed, so it makes Streep's roll more important than ever. We talked about it for an HOUR afterwards.
5
Doubt by Skokiedude
THis was an exceptional movie. The acting was terrific with Streep, Hoffman and Adams at their best. The story was very thought provoking.
5
No Ddoubt about DOUBT by vicfromny
EXCELLENT movie. Returned me to the past when I was being tutored (whacked in the back of the head) by the Dominican Sisters,(This movie has Sisters of Charity), both orders are out of the same mold. Ms. Streep was SUPER as the Mother Superior, pardon the pun. Hoffman too was great at portraying a priest, Fr. Flynn, looking to bring his flock into a more modern and understanding Church/Religion. The kids in the movie looked like they were plucked out of the Fifties. I can truly believe that Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Meryl Streep) kept the poor kids transistor radio. See it, you'll like it.
Vicsradios.com
3
Worth a look by ravenkrogstad
I am not Catholic so I will say that up front. I thought the film was fairly slow overall. I loved the acting. Of course we know that Meryl Streep won and award for her performance in this film. But, as a film maker myself, I feel that the story lacked some ingenuity and spark. When you see it, I think you will understand. It is by far not, the best one I have seen. I am a fan of Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams, so I know that I have given it benefit of a doubt. No play on words intended there. Anyway, I would rank this a watch at home film. Don't waste a lot of money on it expecting a stellar film. My husband also liked the film for the acting alone. Story? eh, not so much.
5
There is little DOUBT that this is a Splendid Movie!! by lugubriousthespian
John Patrick Shanley's masterful, Pulitzer prize-winning play, DOUBT get an amazingly good adaptation by the playwright himself in what will certainly be at the head-of-the-class come nomination time! Story of a small parish rocked by allegations of new resident pastor who may or may not have acted appropriately with a new student, is only a springboard for many wonderful allegories about personal and public scrutiny of moral and ethical boundaries. Incredibly intelligent work by the entire cast including a fiercely intense Meryl Streep as the accusing Mother Superior, Philip Seymour Hoffman as the unflinchingly good humored Father Flynn, and Amy Adams as the very impressionable young novice ( with a special nod to Viola Davis in brilliantly heart-wrenching turn as a mother who has learned how to turn a blind eye one too many times! ). When acting these days in American movies comes in second to the CGI or target audience appeal, this is one film where it can be savored and revered!