Doubt User Reviews

"DOUBT" GETS 1* STAR because the script SUCKS! The script left big gaps and even larger questions. I think the movie-going audience has a dislike for problems of this magnitude [molesting priests] to be shown or inferred without some kind of realistic resolutions and/or options suggested. And this script doesn't do that. THIS IS A GOOD MOVIE WITH A BAD SCRIPT BECAUSE IT HAS SOME GREAT PERFORMERS MAKING IT LOOK GOOD. THAT ENDING...that ending... is about as corny and about as bad Soap-Opera-Dramatic as it gets. The first thing I said was this: "I don't ever say this...but this movie should have been at least fifteen minutes longer." We wanted more because the movie suggested more but it was never developed. We were left hanging without a clue. What was the source of doubt? Doubting Jesus, doubting God and Godly ways or doubting the attempted persecution of a man's career and life? The doubt we were left with is unforgivable in moving-going circles. It’s outright amateurish! And, what is the point of having the boy tell the priest about his desire to be a priest if it is never explored or addressed again?

01/02/2009, 12:47 pm

This is a must see. Streep and Hoffman are phenomenal. Everyone in the theater was on the edge of their seats... you could have heard a pin drop in there!

01/01/2009, 9:25 pm

I'm sorry, this movie could have been so much better. It was a 100 minute movie of Meryl Streep yelling at kids. Yes, reenactment of Catholic schools and what have you, but there could have been a very chilling scene of the Priest doing something to that child, a little more than a hug... a court scene or something...putting up more of a fight, that would have been a good movie. Some kind of twist. Whatever, there wasn't anything in there like that. Definitely a waste of time. Nothing Happened.

12/31/2008, 2:01 am

First thing. This is one of the movies on my list of great ones. It is a picture that makes you judge people's actions. But are you sure? The doubt is here about the priest, the religion, the nun. Is the mean one right. Were the young nun's suspicions worth reporting. So many questions. There are Oscars here for the main characters I hope. Strange after the movie was over, gernerally there is a rush for the door, no one started to leave until after the credits finished. Don't know when i have seen that.

12/29/2008, 9:53 pm

I was a Catholic School girl a bit before this movie was set and from a neighboring school in Brooklyn. You couldn't get any more realistic than this movie. There are so many small touches beyond the plot. From the children immediately standing up when Sister Aloyicious entering the room, to the penmanship on the board to the smack on the head when speaking during Mass. The comparisons between the priests and the nuns are endless. The priests eating blood red roast beef and wine shot overhead, while the nuns have a simple meal. The sister going blind is kept secret. Where do nuns go in their old age? No social security for them, no pensions. They just fade away. Priests, good or bad, have their good ol' boy network. Don't make waves, Sister A. This was a fascinating trip for me back to 1956-59. Watching those habits swish down the hall holding their rosary beads holding down order and rule, while giving the best education available. I wish that they really had the power to bring down the big bad secret those damn bastards were perpetrating on those innocent little children. Great movie. Great reenactment of Catholic School in the 60's down to the smallest details.

12/28/2008, 8:33 pm

The best film of 2008. Period. The writing, acting and directing were all top drawer. It doesn't get better than this if you're the type of person who goes to see thought-provoking movies. The title "Doubt" can mean many things. On the one hand, it could be the doubt that the head sister had of the priest--whether he was indeed a good priest or not. She had no concrete evidence so that accounted for her doubts. On the other hand, it could be the doubt of the non-believers of God or Jesus Christ. When we intellectualize things and need concrete proof to remedy our doubts--like the head sister--then we'll never be true believers of anything. But if we feel something--that the priest is a good man or that Jesus Christ is our savior--then we cast away all doubts from our soul and are the true believers. This is why I consider "Doubt" to be the best film ofj 2008.

12/28/2008, 2:33 pm

Wow, just got home from seeing this, gee, I almost hate calling it a movie...it's so much more! I've never seen a movie where the whole story is weighted on the facial expressions and body language of the actors. The writing, directing and camera work is sensational, but nowhere near the exact skills shown by every one of the cast!!! This is a dismal yet provocative work that causes you to question, debate, debunk and then wonder why you even care...all part of what works in this movie. A very interesting way to portray the years of coverup that having been going on in the Catholic Church, or is that in all humanity???

12/27/2008, 11:43 pm

having seen the broadway production 2 years ago, I thought it was a fantastic piece of writing, well acted and with deeply thought provoking abilities. Icould not get it out of my head for weeks. I never thought that a film version could tell this story better than the live show..however, the acting by all 3 , plus the excellent camera work and sound gave this film a deeper story than the original. The scene with the mother of the child annd Mother superior brought me to tears..This is not a film for all. You must have an open and intelligent mind regardless of your faith. it really is a story of love of humanity told from 2 angles..contrary to what people may fear it does NOT Dis the Catholic faith, but rather it focuses on how gossip without proof can be more of a sin than the sin itself..its a must see for thinkers

12/27/2008, 10:43 pm

Incredible, powerful acting by Steep and Hoffman- but there wasn't enough substance for a Oscar worthy story. I would still recommend it for the performences and the moral of the story which is the power and pain of doubt.

12/27/2008, 6:53 pm