This movie is so good I'm going to watch it like 5 more times before I send it back, and then I'm going to go buy it and watch it a few more times! This is one of the best plays made into a movie I've ever seen done. Somehow the director kept the play like feel to the movie, especially the ending! I loved the ending! I felt like I was at Capital Theatre and Meryl Streep and Amy Adams were on stage performing it. And that brings to me to acting! I've always thought Meryl Streep was a good actress, but I've always kind of suspected that I thought she was good because she didn't annoy me. (And you all know how actors can annoy me.) Well, that's not the case. She is a fantastic actor, she was so good in this, that I am just stunned that someone can act so well. Streep did end up winning the Oscar didn't she? If not, she was robbed!
Amy Adams was great. I didn't know much about her. I looked her up on IMDB, and the only movie I've seen her in was Talladega Nights, but that was just a bit part. I see she was in B's beloved movie Enchanted, and a couple episodes of The Office. Is she the one that plays Jim's girlfriend? Anyway, she was so good in this too! I loved the part that she played.
Then there is Philip Seymour Hoffman. He is definitely one of my top 3 favorite actors, if I thought about it longer, he would probably be #1. The first role I really remember him was Scottie in Boogie Nights. He was my favorite part of that movie. (I just realized most people on this blog probably haven't seen that movie, too bad, he's so good in it). And I've loved him in everything I've seen him in since then. His 5 minute part in Punch Drunk Love is priceless! I hate romantic comedies but saw Along Came Polly just for him, and he was great. And Capote! If you haven't seen that yet, you should. Okay, I'll stop the Philip Seymour Hoffman love fest. But he was really good in this too.
So, I highly recommend this movie if you haven't seen it already. The story is good, the directing is good, and if anything, see it for the acting. It's rated PG-13.
41 comments:
I forgot to add my star rating! I would give it 4 stars. The only thing holding it back from being a Wright Family Classic is that those all seem to be comedies or action flicks, and this is definitely not either.
I saw this on Friday night and Changeling on Saturday night. Good weekend for movies for me and Duncan. Duncan just sleeps. Can you belive that? I liked Doubt a lot and agree with sue about all the acting. Wasn't Hoffman a bad guy in one of the Batman movies? or some action movie? Remind me, Sue, to talk to you about the ending in Doubt. I don't think I fully understood it. I was going to replay it but it was late and I had to get up and 4:30. Good posting!!!
I don't think I fully understood the ending either Dad, but I loved it! We will have to have a secret conversation about it so we don't ruin it for people who haven't seen it. I have an idea, but I'll just have to watch it again!
Hoffman hasn't been in any of the Batman movies. I've heard rumors he might play the Penguin in an upcoming Batman, but those are just rumors. So I don't know which movie you're talking about. He was in Red Dragon, but not a bad guy. Wait, I think it just came to me. Didn't he play a bad guy in one of the Mission Impossible movies? I didn't see it, but I remember hearing that it was worth seeing the movie just for him.
Yeah, I think it was one of the MI movies. I was too ingrossed in watching Tommy Cruse to notice any of the other actors. hehehehe Did Tom ride a Ducati motorcycle in that movie? Cool bike!
Okay, we will be cool with our conversation about Doubt.
Oh I'm glad you liked this! I watched the Oscars and saw that it was nominated for just about everything, and the clips they played were really intriguing! I've wanted to see it since then. Phillip Seymour Hoffman was in MI3, and one of my most random dreams. I liked his character (for the most part...) in Along Came Polly.
I've wanted to see this movie too (just like B was intrigued by the Oscars). I am a big Philip Seymour Hoffman fan too! First thing I remember him in was Scent of a Woman- "Chaz".
hahaha Dad, couldn't keep your eyes off Tom Cruise!
And B, I know the scene in Along Came Polly that you didn't like! It's when they are in the museum and it's the reason he makes Ben Stiller leave so fast. Am I right?
Yes. Worst scene on the planet. There was an unreasonable amount of bathroom humor in that movie.
I remember not being too impressed by Along Came Polly, yet I hear it mentioned by various members of the family a fair amount. Did I miss something?
I believe Amy Adams plays the purse salesperson in The Office, Season One.
I will probably rent this movie this week. We have time to watch a few movies. We're watching Seven Pounds tomorrow.
This is first in my Netflix queue. Hopefully it will be ready to mail when the one I sent back yesterday arrives there.
Agree that all the main actors are fantastic. Don't know if any of you know, but Amy Adams was raised Mormon. Not practicing but she never badmouths its role in her life.
Kate Winslett won best actress this year for The Reader, which I liked quite a bit, but many thought the statue would have gone to Streep for Doubt if Winslett had won in the past (maybe five or six previous nominations without a win).
One of my favorite Philip Seymour Hoffman roles was an early one in which he was an adrenaline junkie type guy in Twister, loving the tornado chase for the thrill of it all.
Ah, Scent of a Woman, one of the best scenes ever in moviedom. Big Pacino putting down the headmaster and the school in defending Chris O'Donnel in that tribunal at the end. Good stuff! Yep, that was the first movie that Seymour Hoffman made an impression on me. Movie quote of the day: "Feed me Seymour"?
Name four actors in that movie: Easy stuff for you Wright movie classic fans.
I had heard that Amy Adams was raised mormon, I wasn't sure if it was true or not. She and Ryan Gosling should get together.
It's a pretty intense movie Amy! I forgot to mention that the 10 minutes or so that Viola Davis was in the movie, is indeed Oscar worthy. She rocked!
I forgot he was in Scent of a Woman! I haven't seen that movie in years, but I do remember PSH. And a couple of weekends ago I was flipping through the channels and Twister was on and I saw him on there too. I've only seen Twister once and I think it was when it came out. I guess Scottie in Boogie Nights just made more of an impression on me because he was so awesome in it!
Okay dad, here you go: Bill Murray, Rick Moranis, Steve Martin and John Candy.
Just got word from Netflix that Doubt is shipping today. Very excited! I tried several times to get away to see it before the Academy Awards but never managed. Of course, as a good movie, it never made it out to Tooele theaters!
I remember Boogie Nights but it's been quite a while and I can't really recall Hoffman in it (perhaps distracted by, um . . . other things). Who is Scottie in it? What role does he play in the plot?
Good job, Sue, on the Little Shop of Horrors answer!
You are going to really like Doubt Dan.
Scottie was a camera guy in Boogie Nights. He is there throughout the whole movie. He is always wearing these gross tank tops and shorts. Perfect part for Hoffman. The scene you would probably remember him in most is he is the guy that buys that red corvette and has Dirk Diggler (Mark Wahlberg) come out from the party and see it. Then he tries to kiss Dirk which Dirk gets upset about. Then you see Scottie in the corvette banging his head against the steering wheel saying "stupid, stupid, stupid" and crying. I think the thing I like most about Scottie is he is just this gross guy that wants to be part of the porn industry. It cracks me up, and Hoffman plays him very well.
B and I rented and watched this last night. Loved it! Incredible acting and I found myself saying things like "HOLY BIP!!" because of how good the dialog was. I have been thinking about the ending all day and have had quite a few discussions about it with B and Dad.
A couple things without giving away the ending:
The movie is very deep, I can see why Sue wants to watch it again and again, as do I.
B noticed that there is quite a bit of symbolism in it, that we have theory's as to the meaning, such as all the references to the wind and the windows being open, and the lights going out. That all makes for some fun topics of discussion.
It gives some good insight to how easily the church can get corrupt because of how it is set up with that line of authority and all that. Scary stuff.
B loved the movie Twister when she was a kid, it was one of the very few movies they had. Hoffman was funny in that. And Em: Along Came Polly was way funnier then I thought it would be! I laughed a lot actually. Maybe I was just in a really good mood. Hoffman totally made Mission Impossible 3 worth watching. He plays the best pissed off guy! (Punch Drunk Love)
Thanks, Sue. I totally remember that scene with the red corvette and "stupid...." now. You're right--way excellent! As you can imagine, Rollergirl had most of my attention back in those more immature days of mine. Of course it'd be a Scottie who'd I'd notice now. (But then again, maybe not! [grin])
Thanks, too, Matt! Even more excited to see it now and join the secret conversations all you initiates are having.
Rollergirl was great! I liked her a lot in Boogie Nights too. It is one of my favorite movies. Paul Thomas Anderson is a great director, and I think he really did such a great job putting something so vile, like the porn industry, in such a human, empathetic light. The movie is just brilliant, and it made me appreciate Burt Reynolds, who I've always thought was lame. I loved him in this movie! Such a father figure, and at the same time, the director of porn movies. (My family is probably just horrified right now on how much I liked that movie!)
Matt, I'm so glad you guys liked Doubt so much! I've seen it, Dad, you and B have seen it. Dan will see it in the next day or so. Amy and Haley are planning on seeing it. So Em, Cat, go rent it right now! We need to have some open conversation about this movie!
I just re listened to the Scene Unseen review on the movie while doing the dishes. I will do what I can about Netflixing it.
By the way, the brief glimpse I had of my verification was "matt lept"
I was going to Smith's tonight and thought I'd check out Redbox since there is a late Jazz game tonight and Rob will be usurping (haha) the tv. They had it and I got it. Rob thought that would be a good idea and now he is all, what if I want to watch it but the Jazz game is good? Dude. Pick one. He had no interest in it an hour ago.
haha, sounds like a problem between you and Rob. Hope you guys work it out. I think Rob would like the movie.
We ended up watching it on the big tv while Rob kept track of the game on the laptop. It was super good, the only problem was I drifted on and off the last half hour but was awake for most of the last conversation and when it ended I was like, what!!!! That was the end?? So I need to re watch the last bit this morning. Great acting, I concur with all that's been said.
Marcus and I stayed up late last night with Allison and watched it while Haley slept. Marcus didn't really care for it, but agreed the acting was good. I thought the acting was amazing and it was really thought provoking. The ending was really interesting. I re-watched the ending this morning cause I drifted off a couple times last night, too. We are a little short on sleep around here! Anyway, I'm glad I saw it.
I started it last night and finished it early this morning. Crazy good! Lots to chew on.
I'd love to chat about it whenever we feel like those who want to see it all see it and we can start letting loose.
Haley doesn't think she wants to watch it, so I think we're good to go
Has Cat seen it yet? If not, are you planning on seeing it Cat?
Yeah, I've wanted to see it since it came out.
Then get to it toot sweet! Unless you don't mind spoilers and you give us permission to start talking about it.
Go for it. Last year the writer of the play and screenplay for the movie was on Fresh Air. They played several scenes from the movie. It sounds amazing and I know what it's about. So no spoiler worries or anything on my behalf. Discuss away!
Ok, so what do you guys think? I am leaning towards believing him, but I am not confident enough to leave him alone with my young boy.
I think I believe him. I think his explanations were reasonable and believable. I think he left so soon because he didn't want more light shed on it. He was right to be angry with Streep for only talking to a nun at his old parish. I don't think he was afraid of anything the nun had to say. I think he was angry that she didn't follow protocal. She is such a stickler for that, and got mad at him for talking to the young boy alone about the wine drinking.
Matt and I both think he is totally guilty.
Interesting! I was hoping other people had a different opinion. Share your reasons please, let's discuss.
I agree with Em. You need to let us know why you think he is guilty.
Like she said at the end, his resignation was confession enough. We both felt that the evidence was completely stacked up against him, and that he acted guilty and defensive. The fact that he was promoted at the end was a sort of slap in the face to her and all she had done. The fact that the boy was gay, and that his father beat him for it, we thought that meant that he probably went to this friendly priest for comfort, and acted on his feelings. It may have been consensual, but it was still wrong for the priest to take advantage of such a young boy.
We are both confused by Amy Adams' role in the movie. Does anyone have any insight? Was she just supposed to be an innocent contrast or what?
Your reasons are certainly reasons I have doubts. I think he didn't really act guilty, more incensed when confronted. I think we can all agree there was something in his past he felt guilty of, but even Meryl Streep had the same deal. Everyone has a skeleton in their closet. When told she had called his past parish he seemed more shocked that there was actually something someone said that made her go through with her plans. True, he could have been shocked that she called at all, but if he had done something in his past that he had actually confessed and felt cleansed of, I still don't think the father or whoever she was supposed to have called, would have given him a good report. Then again, this was the 60's (I think), so it could have been swept under the rug.
I hope that made some sense and wasn't purely incoherent rambles.
I want to join in the fun on this, but I'm completely swamped until late this afternoon. I will wright something then. But, as a preview, I'm on the priest's side. To me, the overriding issue is Sister A's rejection of his progressive views and ways (this takes place within two years of Vatican II council) versus traditional ways. I'll respond to particulars in B's notes about why she and Matt are leaning the other direction in whatever I wright later today.
I'm not sure what to think. I lean towards thinking he's guilty like Matt & B. With so much of this in the news in recent years, we know this happened a lot. Maybe that's what we were supposed to assume as we watched the movie. Guilty unless proven innocent. But, I too, have my doubts. I'd probably need to watch it again when I'm more alert to catch more from the symbolism, etc.
I think Sister James represents what a lot of us are. We want to see the best in people and are in denial that anything bad is happening, especially when children are involved. She was so quick to accept his story and was so relieved that there had been an explanation to the strange behavior. She wanted to believe that he was good, that there was nothing wrong. I think Father Flynn's reaction was typical of a guilty person. They are usually good liars and have a story already prepared in case they get caught. I also think that it's really fishy why he had lost his position 3 times in 5 years I think it was.
What's up with the little boys mother? I think she knew he was guilty. She was a complicated character. Interesting reaction. I think some mothers look the other way and are afraid of the truth, so they don't deal with it.
I finally saw this tonight! So, so good. I think at the end Sister Aloysius broke down saying over and over 'I have doubts' just is her reaction to the way Father Flynn tried to make her see that she was running this church/school in such a scary and intolerant manner. I think she started to maybe see some truth in that. In Father Flynn's beginning sermon on 'doubt' he remarked on how lonely and calamitous it is to suffer all alone. And that doubt has as much power as certainty. I think that's what she was feeling, and it was messing with her for maybe the first time ever. There was one scene that made me think throughout the whole thing. It was the first scene that a storm was really strong and a window was open. Sister Aloysius remarked that the wind was 'peripatetic, is that the word I'm looking for?'. What is that about? Why did the author put in that bit? That messed with my mind for the rest of the movie.
Post a Comment