I think the technical aspects of the film is really good, but I have to say it's the last scene that didn't work for me at all and some of the stylized aspects didn't work for me either. But I think the story works, and so does the script. The film is inviting the viewer to ask questions. And judging by people in this thread, they don't like that.

So i don't get the Crash similarities either. While it does make a point, I don't think it necessarily takes anything away from the movie itself. (it was based on a play, btw)

I have to say Adams and Hoffman are largely flat in their roles. It honestly came across like they were trying too hard, because Meryl was in the room. Streep is breathtaking up until the final scene. But I really think Viola Davis is the scene stealer her. Her performance was incredibly for such a short amount of time.

and lol at the people crying about Davis not having much to do to get an Oscar. Um, hello. Judy Dench.

I thought it was hilarious. Streep deserves the Oscar for sure. As for Davis, meh, her Oscar nom is a bit silly. But Adams (who was almost going full-retard) and Hoffman were top notch as expected.

B

I sort of loved this.

I saw it with a good friend - another movie person - and we both loved it but had completely divergent reactions to it.

I thought it was off-kilter, surreal, funny, and deliciously campy. I was surprised and impressed by John Patrick Shanley's complete command of his movie. The symbolism is obvious and laid on think and heavy, and I generally despise that, but I felt it worked with the overall batshit crazy tone of the movie. The rub comes from Roger Deakins' lighting, and Shanley's stilted, stylized camera work. It meshes with the delirious, theaterical delivery from the actors to create an otherworldly feeling. When Sister Beauvier doubles over in Sister James' arms at the very end of the picture, screaming "I have my Doubts!" while "Noel" slowly builds to a rapturous volume in the background, you know this movie is from a different planet, and it's simultaneously hilarious and profound.

I think Meryl's "You blew out my light" line to Amy Adams was my favorite thing in the movie. Hahahahah.

so all the snobs kinda liked or more this?

do you like us now, Libs?

.69% more

69 lol

libs is so freudian. I bet that's why she's a 3rd (?) grade teacher.

Formerly! 7th now (well, not this year, but I don't feel like repeating that story for the 69th time)

ah the number 7. hoping to get lucky?

Well you probably stand a good chance of appraisal among 7th grade boys at least

'Doubt' appears a little shallow and succinct. However, I enjoyed Father Flynn shouting at Sister Aloysius. - 6/10.

DOUBT - 9/10 (A-)

Meryl proves once again why she is a legend. I haven't felt such wicked delight in watching a performance since Judi Dench in "Notes on a Scandal." She commands the screen and I for one couldn't get enough. Every scene without her (which thankfully isn't too many) had me wanting the focus back on her. Amy Adams and Viola Davis are very good as well. Philip Seymour Hoffman's performance is solid but not Oscar-worthy. Nobody in this movie is a match for Streep. It's her movie all the way. But........the ending! I hated the last couple of lines in the movie. I think they could have been fine if they were delivered differently, but Meryl's delivery of "I have such doubts" is cringe-worthy and embarrassing. It's the only flaw in this otherwise amazing performance. It really has to be seen to be believed. You would think I was just nitpicking, but it is that bad. Still, it's not enough to ruin the movie or this otherwise fantastic turn from her. Overall, "Doubt" is immensely fascinating and one of the year's best.

I HAVE DOUBTS! I HAVE SUCH DOUBTS!!!

Ha! That was the only bad thing in this movie. And really the thing is that I can see this line working had it been delivered in a different, less over-the-top way. But the way it's delivered makes it so much worse than it had to be.

Maybe its' my ignorance or maybe just my taste but personally I felt that line brought the movie sort of to a full circle, and the dlivery was not noticeable at all to me, just another line. It was sort of...cliche I guess? But I like how it makes her character an "Aristotle Hero" a true human who has her faults but walks down what she believes to be the right path.

The problem with the ending is that Shanley gives her, and by extension, us, absolutely no reason to believe that. Her "doubt" seems to just fall from the sky.

Just like her conviction has before.

Yeah, but he at least LOOKS like a pedophile. She has that on her side.

I thought the delivery matched the OTT-tone of the rest of the film. The whole thing is a slightly kooky affair.

Wow, I feel really dumbing for never having thought of that, I mean I did during the actual part but I just let it go and decided to love that turn since it made her character so much more...interesting. I definitely should have thought about that though...
Thank you for ruining the movie for me Yoshue, haha, now it doesn't seem nearly as grand as I'd made it out to be. Oh well , at least it wasn't on my list for BP for WOKJ awards.

yoshue likes ruining things for everyone. like anonymity and mystique.

haha so I've noticed, I still think its' easily one of the top movies of 2008, and that scene added depth, but there should have been some definition to why she doubted things, I agree.

oh hush you

As a drama, this film is an abject failure, but it works wonderfully as a comedy. You can tell it was based on a play, because it simply does not translate well to the screen. What damns it, though, is the writing, which is terrible. Just terrible.



It's not really worth analyzing in depth.