Doubt DVD Review

Nominated for 5 Academy Awards and 6 Critics’ Choice Awards, Doubt is a riveting drama, written and directed by John Patrick Shanley, on DVD from Miramax Films April 7th. Based on the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play, the movie is suspense-filled and stars Two-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep, Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, and Viola Davis.

Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Streep) is the taskmaster and fear-inspiring principal at Saint Nicholas Church. She is traditional, judgmental, and expects discipline from students and colleagues. Because of her old-fashioned views, Sister Beauvier has a strong distaste for the relatively, progressive and popular parish priest, Father Flynn (Hoffman).

Always observant and the first to notice any wrongdoing, Sister Beauvier is suspicious when Father Flynn takes special interest in a young boy, and peculiar behaviors ensue. Her aggressive approach creates tension in the church ranks and also makes the more mild-mannered and kind-hearted Sister James (Adams) uneasy.

Watch Doubt “Principal and Mrs. Miller” Movie Clips
Doubt is a compelling story that parallels real life challenges faced in recent years by the Catholic Church and some high ranking members of its parishes. If you like movies that are clear and pointed, with a transparent conclusion, this film might not be for you. Doubt is a thinking-man’s movie. It is a story that is driven by the tremendous acting (evidenced by four Oscar nominations for actors – Streep for Best Actress, Hoffman for Best Supporting Actor, Adams and Davis for Best Supporting Actress) and dramatic themes.

While Doubt has been lauded as one of the best movies 0f 2008 one of the top DVDs released thus far in 2009, it may not appeal to everyone. The story is not overly deep, instead relying on the dramatic strengths of Streep and Hoffman to give it meaning. Each is brilliant and certainly deserve their acclaim for the way they helped build this movie. Adams was exceptional as a vulnerable and meek nun. There is no doubt that Doubt was a talent-laden production. Realize that as you follow along, at some point, you will have to use your intuition to make sense of what you see and hear.