John Patrick Shanley brings his award-winning stage show Doubt to the big screen with brilliant effect in this fine film adaptation. Meryl Streep is terrifically brittle in the role of nun Sister Aloysius, who accuses the school priest of sexually abusing an altar boy. But she hasn’t any proof to back up her accusation (apart from the uncertain musings of younger teacher Amy Adams).
Philip Seymour Hoffman is also magnificent as the accused priest. He has some wonderfully explosive shouting matches with Meryl Streep, and it’s a pleasure to watch two phenomenal actors bringing their characters to life with such furious enthusiasm. The stagy dialogue enriches the film rather than hinders it, making Doubt a great example of how cinema and theatre can work well together.
Doubt (2009), directed by John Patrick Shanley, is released on blu-ray and DVD in the UK by Studio Canal, Certificate 15.
