ineffectualpoet

"Doubt: a parable" is the title of its original which is a Pulitzer-prize winning play. However, "a parable" is dropped for "Doubt", a rather simple yet thought-provoking title and its punch stars Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams. The weight of the "Hollywood" treatment taints the solemnity of the film, which is one of its few faults. But everything else works: the simplicity that emanates, the explosive talk that concerns morality and religion. The film also "makes you think", which is always good, especially for a Hollywood film.

The acting I thought was quite "samey". Amy Adams is a good actress but after a while I thought she had what I like to call "saving expressions" which a number of actors have especially those who rarely star in "serious" films. But I give her the benefit of the doubt. Philip Seymour Hoffman I thought was just brilliant - I should mention that he happens to be one of my favourite actors. Meryl Streep, I thought she was good, and that's it. To be perfectly honest I thought Philip Seymour Hoffman was better but Meryl Streep's character made me feel uneasy and the ending of the film grounded that. On the other hand I thought Viola Davis was an absolute breath of fresh air.