Doubt: Best Film of 2008

Doubt (2008) - dir. John Patrick Shanley - 5 stars

The screen adaptation of the hit play succeeds at many levels, securing multiple award nominations. This should not come off as too surprising though considering the impeccable writing, thoughtful and deliberate acting on the part of the whole ensemble, and the somber cinematography. All in all, Doubt is one of the best films of 2008 and should have been awarded accordingly at the 2008 Golden Globes.

The film is about the suspicions of the head nun, played by Streep, about the nature of the priest's relationship with a black student. This could lead to the obvious central theme of the abuse of power, but rather the film spends most of its attention on the effects of doubt, suspicion and authority on all parties involved. This significant focus creates the battleground between the nun and the priest where each fight over the fate and faith of a younger nun and the whole congregation. What's important is not whether or not the deed was indeed done, but rather how one's faith can be shaken to its core even at times when we're most sure of it.

Meryl Streep once again outshines herself as the rigid nun and maintains a strikingly well-balanced divide between compassion and coldness, resulting in a well-rounded depiction of the character. On the other side, Philip Seymour Hoffman depicts a formidable counter party to Streep's character, causing the right amount of suspicion and reason for the viewer to doubt the whole story ourselves. They both shine when they are in the same screen working off of each other's energy. The knife-edge tension in the nun's room is something I will not forget soon. A final word in terms of acting should go to Amy Adams, who has finally convinced me that she is a diversified actress, who we should see from many times going forward.

The success of the film is in the fact that there is no absolute good and evil, right and wrong answers. The resolution that we seek might not always satisfy our expectations or faith, as life has a tendency to disappoint men when compared to the strict teachings of religion. Due to its handling of its content, its carefully chosen focus and the best ensemble I have seen in a film in a while, I will gladly call Doubt the Best Film of 2008.