There really isn't a single emotion that can cause such troubling grief and inner turmoil the way that doubt does. This film is far from flat, it is a roller coaster of emotions, certainty and doubt. Doubt is neither cut nor dry, when the film ends you are not left with any grounded proof so there is no way to form a definite opinion. Because of doubt throughout the entire film you may think he is guilty in one scene and then innocent the next.

I think this is criminally under rated, it only improves upon multiple viewings. In one scene Streep and Hoffman are physically shaking in their anger during a confrontation. It is so human and you can feel their frustrations.

Doubt is one of those films I have made required viewing for myself. I have to watch it at least once every other year just to keep my own confidence and doubt in check.

Doubt is simply unnerving. The performances are incredible with Hoffman and Streep giving their best performances to date and Adams and Davis giving excellent supporting performances. Hoffman has such a sinister edge, that you are made to question if this edge even exists is all the more engrossing. Only a loose ending dampens the film leaving the audience with a hint of frustration, however it is easy to overlook when the rest of the film is so powerful. Doubt is a film that leaves you shaken to you core and has you questioning even the simplest notions.

I've seen this film several times, so this time I decided to listen to the director's commentary. John Patrick Shanley is the writer/director of the film and the writer of the original play. He was the sole commentator and has a dull, quiet, monotonous voice, but if you can get past that, I would recommend listening to it. He talks about a variety of things ranging from the origins of the story, to lighting and set choices, editing and cinematography, actors performances, and finally the question that the viewer is left with after the close of the film.

My simple review of the film is here.

Film #44 of The December Project.

An absolute acting tour de force. Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, and Viola Davis all attempt to one-up each other. And because of that, we're all winners.

Not much happens, but I was very interested and engaged, the acting is great and the tone is very good. I really like that they don't really go for a conclusion in the reveal kind of way, there's nothing more than unfounded conjecture and I think that reflects a lot of the real issues surrounding this topic.

I've seen the word "gem" tossed around Letterboxd quite a bit so I'm going to pick it up for this one. It's a gem. Overlooked by the more grandiose, but no more ambitious, movies from 2008, this was a deliberate and careful movie in which every performance is stellar.

A master class in acting, especially Streep, she is simply outstanding, and watching her go head to head with Seymour Hoffman is worth watching any film. Intriguing story, well written. Plenty of conflict and an array of interesting characters. Although, the ending felt sloppy.

This would be a pretty average movie if the acting hadn't been incredible. 4 actors were nominated for this movie and i can see why. it's an average story but it's produced so much better than expected.

It's definitely entertaining. Not sure if it's good, but it's entertaining. The acting is strangely magnetic but again, not really good? I just don't know with this one.

One of the coolest main casts I can think of. Streep, PSH, Adams and also Davis. All 4 are frankly outstanding here, with Streep given the perfect role to show her vast acting talent. PSH also shines once again.

The director doesnt inspire anything in me though, this film is lifted by the actors performances. I also loved that it is so open to interpretation, I honestly at times didnt know who to cheer for, and who to believe. Doubt, faith, and flawed monsters in various guises. Everyone here is both lovable, inspiring, and somewhat sickening.

Great little acting drama.

" I don't think Father Flynn did anything wrong."

Esta es una de esas películas que me hace ver el monstruo de actriz que es Meryl Streep, aunque carece de intensas escenas de drama, posiblemente debido al ambiente donde se desarrolla; revive fervientemente los tabúes de las sociedades conservadoras y Meryl adopta el perfil exacto de estas damas "correctas" de la iglesia, casi medieval, por lo menos en el contexto social, pero acertada en los mas mínimos detalles. Unas cuantas actuaciones excepcionales como las de Viola Davis y por supuesto Philip Seymour Hoffman. No es el mejor film de ese año, pero logra mover susceptibilidades.