Directed by John Patrick Shanley(2008)
Upon watching the trailer, the audience's understanding of what this film is about has already solidified. A pastor, a boy, a church, controversy, outrage - of course it's child molestation. Well maybe. We see all the incriminating evidence attributed to Philip Seymour Hoffman's character, Father Flynn: the progressive outlook on the church, a sermon on "doubt," long fingernails, his perhaps excessive warmth towards the boy in question, etc. As he digs in his heels to oppose multiple accusations, so grows our fervor for justice, while our vision for truth narrows exponentially.
We, the audience, align ourselves with Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep), whose crusade against Flynn begins long before any rumors of pedophilia; his sermon on "doubt" raises her suspicions, and the word of a possible relationship with a student merely gives her an occasion to begin the witch hunt. While the mystery surrounding the offense fuels the plot, figuring out whether or not Father Flynn did what he has been charged with doing is beside the point. Flynn was guilty before we stepped into the theatre; it was just a matter of figuring out the trivial how he gets caught.
This incessant need to peg the pastor as a child molester morphs the screen into a mirror. When the ambiguity of the facts sets in (it might take a bit), we are left with nothing but our own preconceived notions and the means taken to ensure that these notions are correct - which includes domineering and fabricating, as demonstrated by Sister Aloysius. Instead of reveling in the apprehension of the supposed criminal, reflection upon inner turmoil is necessary: when passing judgement on a situation, can the truth of the matter actually be found? Hence the last line of the film by a tearful Sister Aloysius: "I have doubts. I have such doubts."
Quite the assumption has been made in believing that the majority of viewers will find Hoffman's character to be guilty for most - if not all - of the duration of Doubt. I do not feel it is unfounded to do so. General tendencies exist. And as Father Flynn says, "Doubt can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainty. When you are lost, you are not alone."
OK. I read this play a year ago (same guy who wrote it, directed it). but I have yet to see the film--don't worry woods, it's on my netflix. The play was so much about trying to find the reasons on why The older Sister would automatically assume such an act, and about the men (priests) of her time committed these acts. Reading it, I never thought Flynn was guilty, because the play is less about that and more about a woman's determination to ruin someone, to set an example for the rest of these horrid men hiding under the protection of the church, and, uh, God. Now, I have to seet the film...plus Amy Adams is a fine looking lady.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's just me. But the film displays a lot of images that make you want to say "damn, he totally did it" without presenting any hard facts. I imagine it would be easier to withhold judgment when reading the script because you're dealing primarily with the dialogue and not scenes that almost trick you into misconstruing things.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe I just hate Catholic priests.