Doubt

ow… this one really put me through the wringer when it came to rating. The film, aptly titled Doubt, does exactly that—leaves you full of questions. From the start, you’re constantly second-guessing every line, unsure if you’re interpreting each scene correctly. Nothing is ever made clear, and you’re left wondering who’s actually in the right. The kicker? Even by the end credits, you still don’t have a definitive answer. Honestly, if it weren’t for Meryl Streep’s incredible performance, I’d have rated it a star lower. In the end, it’s a solid, slightly above-average watch. (18/03/2009)

Interesting topic, excellent actors, but as whole it can't sustain a heartbeat. What good to me are the amazing Amy Adams and the charismatic Philip Seymour Hoffman if the entire premise of their actions can fit into ten minutes? Instead, I'm watching an hour and a half of stretched-out acting exhibitionism, pushed to the most absurd maximum. Occasionally, a little editing or hinting would have been enough, but no – the routine direction drags the film to an ending that ultimately undermines the whole story. It's precisely because the entire dramatic arc is a smaller deception for the audience that I have to rate it this low. (07/06/2010)

Well, I really wasn’t expecting this. It’s almost unbelievable how fittingly the name Doubt describes the film. There’s not a single moment when the viewer can be certain on whose side the truth is, or who has the purer or more noble motives, etc. This would have been impossible without a great script and dialogues, which I would appoint as king of all dialogues :-D… I really can’t remember when was the last time I swallowed like this every word uttered by the characters in a film. Praising the performances would be redundant, and I reckon this year the members of the Academy will have a very hard job. Just one more thing before closing, I wouldn’t have believed it before watching it, but I’ve just found “my” drama of the year 2008. (27/01/2009)

Before: I have considerable doubts about whether Shanley will be able to handle such tricky material while managing to avoid falling into cheesiness, needless literalness and ecclesiastic correctness. And mainly I have doubts about Amy Adams performance alongside the Hoffman Streep duo. After: I have no doubts anymore about Amy and also I now know that it couldn’t have been written, shot and acted any better. (22/01/2009)

It's unbelievable that the director of the movie Joe against the volcano filmed something as great and timeless as Doubts. It's almost mind-boggling. Even if I forgot the entire content of the film, I will never forget the final scene, which can be related to many moments and events in life. Yes, doubts are one of the scariest feelings a person can experience. (03/03/2015)