DOUBT.. 4.0*** “Doubt” is an fascinating movie transferred to the big screen from a Pulitzer-Prize winning stage play and features one of the best , if not the best, acting ensembles seen in 2008. It explores complex issues and emotions in astounding ways. The purposeful ambiguities that flow through causes the audience to do what every great movie does: THINK.

The story takes place in 1964, at St. Nicholas Catholic School in the Bronx. Among those in charge there are conflicting ideologies. In one corner, we have Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep)., the school’s principal. She's cut from the classic tyrannical mold, as she frowns upon insubordination of any kind. Think of her as Sister Ratchet,(shades of “One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest”) always wanting things done her way. By and large, she rules with an iron fist. In the other corner, we have the priest, Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman). who believes the church should change its approach and interact more with its students. He believes they should be more like a family, and make an effort to truly listen to the children.

At the center of "Doubt" is the mystery of whether or not Father Flynn, is guilty of taking advantage of an altar boy. The priest's prosecutor is Sister Aloysius.. The movie purposely never clarifies the ambiguity of the charges -- is Hoffman's priest truly guilty of something, or is Sister Aloysius simply on a mad witch hunt? Sister James is the one who first brings suspicions about the Flynn to Aloysius and then sees them become Frankenstein’s monster.

Meryl Streep takes on the role of Sister Aloysius with a mesmerizing balance of poise and perplexity. Without a doubt, Streep has created one of the most compelling characters of the year. Foil and fodder to Aloysius is Father Flynn, played superbly by the incomparable Phillip Seymour Hoffman who exhibits emotion so perfectly that his collision with Sister Aloysius is utterly fascinating. Sister James is played by the lovely and talented Amy Adams. And then there’s Viola Davis as the alter boy's mother who in only 10 to 15 minutes of screen time, brings the movie to a complete and exhilarating halt by providing a genuine, raw performance. YES, "Doubt's" ensemble is breathtakingly talented as evidenced by the fact that all four of these performers were nominated for Oscars: Streep for Best Actress and the others for Best Supporting.
Doubt warns of the dangers of blindly following assumptions based on circumstances rather than the truth and the serious consequences of making such assumptions Right or wrong, fact or fiction, we are all led by our values and our moral convictions on the way to achieving greater knowledge - namely, the truth. Doubting is the first part of the equation. After all "Doubt is the beginning, not the end of wisdom"