Doubt: I Think You Did, Therefore You Have Done

Doubt is a drama. At first I thought it was an unorthodox mystery driven by characters determined in different directions, but the further it plunged into the plot and clues, the less I cared about the truth and the more interested I became in the characters digging for the truth. More accurately, should I say, the characters digging. The "truth" is something to argue about.

Meryl Streep shows us why she's the best in the business as Sister Aloysius, a stern nun at St. Nichols. As the principal, the students fear her. Other nuns look up to her. She takes care of the other nuns, gives them tips and advice, and dictates the topic of discussion at the dinner table. She hates ball-point pens for ruining penmanship. I can't blame her however. If you're teaching them penmanship, then certainly the proper tool is essential.

Insert Father Flynn (equally matched by Philip Seymore Hoffman), the next generation of priest. He is friendly, teaches sports, and has a skill for delivering surmons. The boys relate to him.

The mystery arises when Sister James (Amy Adams) sees the only African-American student sent up to Father Flynn's rectory for one-on-one talk. She believes this is very inappropriate and immediately tells Sister Aloysius. Sister Aloysius assumes the worst and makes plans to confront Father Flynn and make him confess his crimes. For Sister Aloysius, suspcion is enough. She represents the infallibacy of the Church. If Sister James is telling her, then it must be because God knows Sister Aloysius will suspect the worst and seek it out. Or so goes Sister Aloysius' mind.

Whichever way, a God-guided or God-foresaken quest, she is relentless and smart. She refuses to give up the topic, like simple madwoman, but at every stage of her life, she seems to have thought out every step. Is a woman scholared in theology, running a prestigious private school, so stupid? Cruel? Or is all of this truly with good intentions of protecting the children?

When the movie reaches a climax between Sister Aloysius and Father Flynn, a curveball is thrown. The boy's mother arrives for a conference with the Sister Aloysius. She is worried about her son removed from the Altar Servers (not Altar Boys as said in the film). Sister Aloysius tries to gain information that might incriminate Father Flynn, only to find there might be things worse than Father Flynn's sins. The mother is played by Viola Davis. Roger Ebert says her performance merits a nomination from the Academy. While I am not as bold as Ebert to say when "injustice" is done for a lack of nomination, I will say no other actress has came to mind for Best Supporting Actress yet. Maybe Marissa Tomei from The Wrestler, but there is still enough nominations to go around.

What do Sister Aloysius and Father Flynn represent? The old and new Church? Certainty and doubt? A strict protectorate approach against a friendly one? Faith-based Catholicism and reason-based logic? Everyone will take a different interpretation and I can only speak for myself. I find the movie filled with God, espically when various windstorms rise before climatic arguments. God is testing Sister Aloysius' faith and devotion to protect the kids, while Father Flynn is tested for his ability to defend his approach to the most devote Catholics. Or is he on a second trial for his sins? Sister James is the doubt. It is easier for her to smile and believe Father Flynn than to gather the strength to ask herself the danger if he's lying. At the same time, she admires the strength of Sister Aloysius to stand up against such a lack of evidence, basing everything on faith itself.

There is another layer to this movie. There are minor details everywhere that reveal much about the characters. Most of these are humorous, although some go undetected by most. When Father Flynn is waiting to meet with Sister James and Sister Aloysius, he is sitting next to a student in trouble. He relates to the troubled student, although he himself is also awaiting Sister Aloysius' trials. Is she treating him any different than a student? Sister Aloysius also tells a lie (GASP!) to cover up a nun's loss of sight. She does it with sacrifice to her own dignity, stating, "Nuns fall. It happens. I fell yesterday." She listens to the radio confiscated from a student and admits she can't stop listening to the news. There is one more major revelation about her character, but I won't reveal it. Every time I think I understand Sister Aloysius, there is another layer. I simply have to keep a close enough eye to notice them.

Is it entertaining? Yes. Don't come in expecting a drama on abuse of Altar Servers. Expect a test of faith from different angles, given through powerful performances. When these two argue, even the loudest of theaters will go silent.

Is it for everyone? Yes. The victim is a child, the soldiers of the battle are respected religious figures. It is gripping. The eye for detail may not be had for all, but the story moves just as strongly for everyone, with small humor to fill a slow start.

Is it memorable? Yes. Every one of the major actors gives an unforgettable performance. It is open to interpretation, but the themes and movement is so strong, you won't have to look far for your interpretation.