Doubt (2008)

[Z...]

This movie is definitely worth watching, not just because Meryl Streep is the best actress in the world but also because it provides an excellent lesson in how to deal with psychopaths or deviants.
It also provides good insight into the dynamics behind the scene in Catholic church organizations.
Based on a theater play this movie is filmed in great manner, with excelent acting and superb dialogues which could be practical lesson from Ponerology. Giving it 5+stars wholeheartedly.

Synopsis:
Set at a Catholic school in the Bronx, it centers on a nun who grows suspicious when a priest begins taking too much interest in the life of a young black student. Is she being overly protective or not protective enough? And can she work within the system to discover the truth?

****Spoiler Alert***


For first 20 minutes I was convinced Meryl Streep's character is the psychopath. At the end of the movie I was completely in awe with this character and her ability to stand up to petty tyrant and see reality for what it is without flinching.

 

[anart]

Her accent in this film was outstanding, as was her demeanor as a Northeastern Catholic nun - she did a remarkable job in the role.

 

[andi]

Great, I'll have a watch this weekend ;)

 

[Laura]

I love Meryl Streep too. Gonna have to get this one!

 

[MichaelM]

Loved the movie as well.
Amy Adams played her part well too, imho, though she was overshadowed by Meryl Streep.

****Spoiler Alert***



















The character Amy Adams plays as well as the mother of the child also provide a nice representation of the other possible roles in a "psychopathic dynamic" (the one in denial and the one who knows what's going on but turns a blind eye).
I also enjoyed how Meryl Streep acted out her character's feeling of doubt that is so palpable and so heavy I could almost feel it for myself. I could almost imagine the thoughts running in her head, the gut-feeling convictions warring against the opinions of the other people around her.

 

[Erna]

****Spoiler Alert***

For first 20 minutes I was convinced Meryl Streep's character is the psychopath. At the end of the movie I was completely in awe with this character and her ability to stand up to petty tyrant and see reality for what it is without flinching.

It's funny, because I walked away from the movie thinking Meryl Streep's character is the deviant. She never questioned the boy, even when the priest prompted her to. She never had a shred of evidence, just her experience, as she said. The scene in the park, where the priest talks to the other nun, who was undecided all along, builds a strong case for the priest, where he talks about his companionship with the boys and his love for them, and how he tries to change the autocratic status quo. I also walked away from this movie thinking it's programming, garnering sympathy for the poor, falsely accused priest, when the reality is quite the opposite. Her statement that his resignation was an admission of guilt, is where one starts to think she might have been right, and when she used a lie about having checked his past, when she didn't. The black boy crying in the church when the priest says goodbye, makes one even more undecided. Brilliant performance by all three of them though. Meryl Streep's admittance in the end of her own doubts, makes one wonder about her course of action, based on nothing more than a hunch, really, and keeps the jury out on this one.

 

[anart]

Actually, I agree. At the end of the film, I was also unsure of exactly where the chips fell - it's a very interesting film, due to that complexity. I don't think the film offers a distinct answer.

The character Amy Adams plays as well as the mother of the child also provide a nice representation of the other possible roles in a "psychopathic dynamic" (the one in denial and the one who knows what's going on but turns a blind eye).

I also agree with this - Adams does a fantastic job - riveting.

 

[Z...]

**Spoiler Alert***
To answer E and A




I understood that the boy cried because his abuser won his emotions. He had extremely violent father and the priest preyed on him by giving him affection and attention he was craving for. In fact I think Streep said something of this sort.

As for the doubt at the end of the movie same as Anart , I was for a moment unsure where the chips fall.
But having watched Streeps character develop towards the end of the movie I came to the conclusion she has developed the gift to see the reality for what it is.
I cannot remember how exactly she put it in the movie, when she was explaining why she lied about calling the other nun. The gist is when you deal with dirty doings you are bound to dirty yourself, but there is no other way to set things right. I agree with this.

 

[truth seeker]

I just saw this movie a few weeks ago, really excellent. I also came away from the movie unsure of what to think. Possibly the Streep character as well as the priest were both guilty. Also, the mother of the boy was great. I do think that it was intended to leave people with doubts at the end as to what the truth really was.

 

[Aidylsun B.]

I just saw this movie a few weeks ago, really excellent. I also came away from the movie unsure of what to think. Possibly the Streep character as well as the priest were both guilty. Also, the mother of the boy was great. I do think that it was intended to leave people with doubts at the end as to what the truth really was.

I agree with you Truth Seeker. The mother of the boy played a great role and her few short lines had a huge impact on me. Her decision and the logic behind it left me in doubt.

Meryl Streep is an amazingly talented actor. An all time favorite is still, "Sophie's Choice".

 

[atiil]

I've just watched this very interesting film and share the feelings of others about the complex ending and what to make of it. I think Streep's character at the end is becoming quite tortured at what she is giving up to expose such predators and the fact she has to use lies to expose them is clearly taking it toll. Looking at the overall film the thing that really struck me is if we assume the priest was indeed a psychopath, while he was allowed to simply move along to his next victim, the trail of destruction behind him effects so many people, showing the true nature of such predators OSIT.

 

[truth seeker]

You make a good point atill.

What comes to mind for me is that perhaps the doubt she felt at the end was the culmination of all the decisions she made, not just the ones concerning the priest (the way she treated the students as well as the nuns). In short, the decisions she made all her life that affected others. It was her attitude towards everyone that made me question what her motives were when it came down to the priest situation.

 

[Alana]

Spoilers

I agree that all the performances were excellent, couldn't have done better casting imo. This movie filled me with doubts myself. Yet, i tend to agree with atill, here:

I think Streep's character at the end is becoming quite tortured at what she is giving up to expose such predators and the fact she has to use lies to expose them is clearly taking it toll. Looking at the overall film the thing that really struck me is if we assume the priest was indeed a psychopath, while he was allowed to simply move along to his next victim, the trail of destruction behind him effects so many people, showing the true nature of such predators OSIT.

Seeing her having doubts in the end, and the way she just fell apart because of it, showed to me that she had doubts all along, yet she had to do what she felt was right to protect that child. That she saw things based on her experience, wasn't such a big deal to me: she is older, she's done this job for so long, and she leaves a hint here and there that she saw this act play before. And don't forget that she based her suspicion too, on the way that other boy reacted to the priest's touch, that she saw from her window. The scene at the garden, where the priest tries to convince the young nun of his empathic feelings, was what made me suspect him the most. After he resigned only to get promoted to a better position, i was more inclined to believe that he's done it. But never without some doubt...

 

[Rabelais]

I am coming to the discussion a little late, but I just watched this film and have to agree with all of the thoughts and "doubts" expressed in this thread. It is an excellent production all the way around.

As for the doubt at the end of the movie same as Anart , I was for a moment unsure where the chips fall.
But having watched Streeps character develop towards the end of the movie I came to the conclusion she has developed the gift to see the reality for what it is.
I cannot remember how exactly she put it in the movie, when she was explaining why she lied about calling the other nun. The gist is when you deal with dirty doings you are bound to dirty yourself, but there is no other way to set things right. I agree with this.

Streep's character responded:

"In the pursuit of wrong doing, one steps away from god. Of course, there is a price."