Doubt - A Disturbing & Significant Film
Here is the challenge for me: my understanding of reality is tainted, inevitably colored by my own prejudices. Boldly I may proclaim that Truth cannot be subjective, and Justice must be blind. But self tends to block any semblance of a clear view.
Interestingly, both the previews and television ads for the movie seemed to implicate the guilt of the Priest and the righteousness of the Sister. While I walked from the movie not absolutely convinced, nevertheless I sided with Father Flynn. And I must be honest and admit this is easiest for me to do because we have a kinship. He is a complicated character. He smokes and grows his nails long, laughs readily and smirks often at some of the silliness of human religion, all to the abhorrence of the prudish nuns. His sermons reveal some of the soul-searching of his own heart. And, most attractive to me, he is willing to step outside the staid role expected of him by religious purists as he works hard to be authentic and to love others.
The only black child at the school is having a hard time. He is beaten by his father and ostracized by other students. Father Flynn is sensitive to his plight and reaches out to befriend the young man. Thus is created the framework for innuendo and accusation. Sister Aloysius, who seems intent upon squeezing-out joy and life in the name of what is holy and right, becomes focused upon destroying the Priest. She is intense and unswerving in her pursuit of righteousness with the matter. Father Flynn maintains that he is innocent. He asserts there is no proof, and accuses her of ulterior motives. However, when queried, he admits to grave although unspecified sins in his life. Is this a hint that indeed he is guilty in the matter? He maintains that he is innocent. Sister Aloysius pieces together enough evidence to be self-assured of his guilt. He had a private session with the boy in his office. The boy came back to his class smelling of wine. Later that day another nun saw the Priest placing the young man's t-shirt back into his locker. The Priest has answers, but all seem weak and unconvincing to the Sister.
Behind her resolve, her crusade against Father Flynn, is a settled determination deep in her heart that he is guilty. The question for the viewer: From where comes such certainty? Not the evidence- it is, in the end, unconvincing. Not the presented character of the Priest- he seems genuinely to be a kind and harmless man. Perhaps she dislikes him? Perhaps she is an unhappy person, with serious and unresolved personal issues, and he is the victim of her sickness and even her evil?
The film is a great study of human doubt. Next post, I hope to talk a bit about doubt as it relates to the matters of faith and God. And here's a confession- I have doubts... nagging, uncomfortable though they may be.
Please, go see this fine movie, starring Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams.
