Streep shines as the intimidating, intolerant stickler, who despises ballpoint pens, sugar, and secular songs. Hoffman effectively makes his hygiene-obsessed character hard to read. Adams succeeds as the innocent and optimistic neophyte, and Davis is both emotional and effectual as Donald Miller’s mother. To put it simply: above all else, it is the cast that raises Doubt.
The top-drawer acting (while throughout) is prominently featured when the characters are in the Principal’s office. One sequence plants Father Flynn, Sister Aloysius, and Sister James in the office and puts the actors’ talent on display — right through a ringing phone. Another scene, between Father Flynn and Sister Aloysius, becomes a yelling match, a discussion of mortal sins, and a revelation.
Through the heated discussions, the constant suspicion, and even the profound sermons, Doubt plays out as male vs. female game of cat-and-mouse. In a Catholic hierarchy, where men rule, Sister Aloysius avoids the chain of command and attempts to solve the matter herself. After all, “In a world where men run everything, women must take care of things. It takes a cat. Yes it does. Yes it does.”
In fact, when the resolute and shrewd Sister Aloysius asks Sister James to analyze Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s quote, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” Sister James suggests that what F.D.R. meant is that “nothing is wrong; so, don’t get so emotional.” Perhaps this sisterly analysis should have been applied elsewhere. Perhaps not.
Dually, in its ambiguity and bluster, Doubt establishes a powerful bond with any viewer. Don’t just attend a screening and go through the motions. Sit down, listen, and examine. You may leave with something you didn’t have before — artful appreciation.
Article comments
1 - Roxanne
My god, are you for real! Your first paragraph queued me in to something very insightdful in this review!
Without certainty, no doubt your review was one of the best takes on the movie that I have read so far. Thank you! Now I believe again...until perhaps doubt begins to set in again.