Director: John Patrick Shanley
Starring: Amy Adams, Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actresses in Hollywood have built a legacy as strong as Amy Adams. Following her rise to recognition amid the 1990’s, Adams has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s dedicated news reporters, con-artists or political figures, Adams has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Adams’ best strength as an actress has always been her commitment to her craft. She is one of those rare actresses which has poured both heart and soul into each role. By her abilities to portray commemorated characters that prove to be compelling, Adams has built a legacy which is lasting. Even when she isn’t a main focus of a movie, Adams has always left a commemorated impression. Although she is best known for her iconic role as Lois Lane, Adams has proven she can make memorable films in every genre that entertain. Throughout a long-lasting career, Adams has made countless memorable movies which are truly worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Adams and adore all movies she has made in her career. However, “Doubt” is my favourite. Released in 2008, John Patrick Shanley’s movie offered a powerful portrait of religious preachers. Packed with breathtaking production design, captivating storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best movies ever made about religion. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Amy Adams, who embodies a religious nun facing adversity. Ultimately, what makes “Doubt” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most films about religion, it tackles themes that everyone would identify with. A spellbinding masterpiece about religion, there are several strong reasons why “Doubt” is a movie which is undoubtedly worth seeing.
Set in 1964 New York City, “Doubt” tells a story of two religious nuns that face doubt causing adversity. Amy Adams portrays Sister James, a devout nun that has always had a devotion to a profession she is passionate about. James has always shared a strong bond with sisters in her church she loves dearly. James develops a strong friendship with Sister Beauvier (Meryl Streep), a nun that has similar religious views. However, James soon begins to doubt faith in her religion when she meets a new priest that is under pressure. Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is a courageous preacher that takes in African-American students against rules of the church. As all the odds are stacked against her favour, James begins to question her faith in a church which faces disaster. Facing doubt, James soon questions her devout commitment towards religion that she was once passionate about.
John Patrick Shanley is a newcomer towards themes of religion. Before he made “Doubt”, Shanley had never made a film about religion preachers facing doubt. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of nuns facing adversity, but he succeeded. Using captivating cinematography, Shanley captures a religious nun embarking on a dangerous journey to find her identity. Evoking Robert Wise’s “The Sound of Music”, Shanley captures a woman’s journey to find religious identities through point of view shots. For instance, the POV shots elevate the religious doubts scene. During this captivating scene, Sister James endures doubt when she witnesses her priest engaged in behaviour that he is passionate about. Through stunning POV shots, Shanley crafts a portrait of religion that is compelling. POV shots are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Denis Villeneuve’s “Arrival” suggested, POV shots enhance science-fiction movies. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Using breathtaking visuals, Shanley captures tensions that religious nuns are often facing.
Another strong aspect of “Doubt” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Shanley effectively uses production design to capture religious nuns experiencing a decline. Throughout the movie, the church is a strong setting which captures tensions religious nuns are facing. For instance, the church enhances the meeting scene. During this intense scene, Father Flynn has a revealing meeting with an African-American student. Through using the church setting, Shanley constructs a portrait of religion that’s compelling. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Howard Shore’s music is key towards the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing a painful burden that religious preachers bear. Through strong production, Shanley creates a bold portrait of religion.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Doubt” is a religious drama that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses sequences of silence to capture religious preachers facing doubt. Throughout the film, Shanley uses silence to capture religious nuns that face a traumatic experience. For instance, the silence elevates the religious controversies scene. During this unforgettable scene, Father Flynn faces tension when his mistakes become public in the church. Through the sequences of silence, Shanley constructs portrait of religion audiences can easily relate to. Silence is often a complex technique. Paul Thomas Anderson’s “The Master” demonstrated silence enhances movies about bit cults. Ron Howard’s “Hillbilly Elegy” claimed silence enhances movies about dysfunctional families. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a bold screenplay, Shanley captures religious preachers facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Amy Adams delivers one of her finest career performances as Sister James. Adams first earned appreciation for playing enchanted princesses in fantasy movies. With “Doubt”, however, she took on her most complicated role. It isn’t simple to portray a religious nun facing adversities but she succeeded. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her in the past before: intense, charming and truly emotional in her most iconic role. Adams has often excelled at playing emotional women in stress, and “Doubt” showcased her strength as an actress. With riveting expressions, she captures the angst, grief and resentments of a religious nun facing tensions. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most celebrated actresses today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Amy Adams, the supporting cast is superb and also worthy of appreciation. Meryl Streep is magnificent, capturing the authority of a nun seeking to overcome doubts causing tragedy. Philip Seymour Hoffman is phenomenal, and brings compassion to a priest that becomes a victim of a religious scandal causing tensions. Lastly, Viola Davis merits appreciations. As an African-American student, she brings tension to the movie.
Finally, “Doubt” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing religious nuns that face doubt. Unlike most films about religion, the film tackles strong themes that everyone will relate to. It tackles strong themes including anxiety, mental health and religion which will resonate among everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with religion to appreciate it. It delivers a strong message about religious doubt which definitely resonates with everyone. Therefore, “Doubt” is one of those rare commemorated movies about religion which everyone would adore.
Fans of Amy Adams would absolutely enjoy “Doubt” and so would movie-goers seeking meaningful entertainment. A riveting drama about religion, it celebrates an actress with strong dedication.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about religious nuns facing doubt, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actress that has always poured her heart out into creating compelling characters in memorable movies which definitely deserve to be talked about without a single doubt.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 