Category Archives: Drama

Doubt (2008)

From NetFlix:

In a Catholic elementary school in the Bronx, Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep) begins to have doubts about one of the priests, Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman), who seems to have become overly involved in the life of a young African American pupil. But Flynn isn’t the only one she has doubts about. Is she overreacting to the situation or is there a truth that needs to be discovered? John Patrick Shanley’s drama was nominated for five Oscars and co-stars Amy Adams and Viola Davis.

I first saw “Doubt” as the original play with exactly 4 characters: the priest, the two nuns, and the mother of the black student. It was excellent. For this reason I was reluctant to see a remake. That is to say, this film script is the original play greatly amplified by the same author. Fortunately the film is so good that it is a pleasure from beginning to end. The facial expressions of Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman are perfect. The young nun and the black boy’s mother are also excellent. I was relieved to see Streep do so well because when I saw her in a part of “Momma Mia” (I was so embarrassed by her performance that I could only watch part of the musical) I assumed she had begun her senility. Hoffman takes chances with offbeat films and I was glad to see him in a more traditional role.

I would be interested in learning how those of you who are not Catholic reacted to or enjoyed this film. I was a Catholic of the 50s and these scenes are completely accurate. However, Streep plays an embittered old grouch and I can personally assure you that was not at all like the nuns I had teaching me in parochial school.

So … was he guilty or not ?

Prick Up Your Ears (1987)

From NetFlix:

Gifted British filmmaker Stephen Frears brings to the screen the troubled life of bold 1960s writer Joe Orton (Gary Oldman) in this portrait of an obsessive, controlling coupling set against history. Orton’s infamous relationship with his tempestuous lover, Kenneth Halliwell (Alfred Molina), fueled but also eventually destroyed Orton — literally and figuratively — at a time when the world didn’t at all embrace or understand homosexuality.

Absolutely not for everyone. Vulgar, explicit, no-holds-barred British film about a possibly talented playwright who was egocentric, cruel, and enjoyed taking chances. Watching this supposedly true biographical exposé was a bit like playing peeping tom. However, it WAS interesting. You are warned!