Doubt opens with Father Flynn's sermon on doubt. Here we learn that, 'Doubt can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainty. When you are lost, you are not alone.' Essentially, Sister James (Adams) is a new teacher at the school where Sister Aloysius (Streep) is the strict (strict would actually be an understatement) principal. Sister Aloysius has told Sister James to be on the lookout for anything unusual relating to Father Flynn. It would appear that Sister Aloysius does not trust him. After Sister James witnesses some suspicious behaviour the two nuns confront Father Flynn under the pretext of the upcoming Christmas concert. This scene not only tells us a great deal about Father Flynn as he tries to avoid the real subject at hand, but we also learn that Sister A. is extremely old fashioned and thinks Frosty the Snowman is downright heretical. Oh, and so are ballpoint pens...just so you know. After Father Flynn explains himself to the satisfaction of Sister James, Sister A. is left to get rid of him herself.
It is around this time that the mother of the child, Mrs. Miller (Viola Davis), is brought into the film. Approximately seven minutes later Mrs. Miller leaves the film. Viola Davis is nominated for an Oscar for this role. While I found her performance good, I don't think I would have ever guessed it was Oscar good.
With no support from the child's mother, Sister A. is forced to continue her crusade alone. She is determined to look after her students and will stop at nothing to make sure they are protected from Father Flynn. [In case you don't want to know the ending I will put it in white. Drag cursor over to read.] After Sister A. lies about phoning a former parish, Father Flynn agrees to request a transfer. She gets her way and seems happy, however, in the end she confesses to Sister James that she has serious doubts.
I must say that the cast in this movie is phenomenal. Philip Seymour Hoffman plays Father Flynn very well. Because we are never 100% sure about his actions, he has to be both likable and despised. Meryl Streep is excellent as the 'stuck in the past' Sister Aloysius. She appears to be hard on her students and rather unreasonable about everything, however, we also see her caring and even protecting a fellow nun who is going blind. Amy Adams is also excellent in her role as Sister James. She effectively portrayed someone a little uneasy and yet also steadfast in her faith. My favourite Amy Adams/Sister James moment is when Father Flynn is loading up his tea with sugar, to the horror of both women, and when asked if she wants sugar she blurts out that she never has sugar...not that there is anything wrong with sugar...followed by an awkward smile.
Doubt gets three kernels - a good movie with excellent actors that is definitely worth a watch.
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