Doubt

Doubt is a film adaptation of John Patrick Shanley's award winning Broadway play of the same name. Shanley wrote and directed this film so it still has that feel of a play where you are focused on characters and story. Taking place in 1964 it is the story of a New York catholic church and school, the nuns who work there and the parish priest who runs everything. The head nun begins to suspect there is something sinister about the relationship between the priest and the one lone eighth grade black student. The student is in the class of the parish's youngest nun, so the head nun recruits her to keep a watch on the activities between the boy and the priest. Suspicions abound but there is no real evidence of wrong doing. Things reach a point where the head nun calls in the boy's mother and discovers that the mother has an agenda for her son and doesn't want to rock the boat where he is concerned, regardless of the circumstances. The head nun eventually confronts the priest with her accusations and an ultimatum. This is a heavy film, full of drama and darkness but it's a good film that leaves you emotionally drained with doubts of your own. Not for everyone it is none the less a good film with great performances by fine actors. Shanley should be happy and proud his creation.