The hit play is now realized on celluloid as Meryl Streep ditches her overalls from Mamma Mia to don a habit accessorized with a condescending scowl.

Picture it: The Bronx, 1964. Autumn has arrived with its chilly breezes that knock the leaves from their boughs. This wind not only foretells of seasonal change but social change, also. As the students file into the Catholic school one child blaringly stands out from the crowd; a lone black boy named Donald Miller (Joseph Foster). Young Mr. Miller is in a good position, academically, but it’s a heavy burden to be the only minority in the entire student body. Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) recognizes this and gives young Donald some extra attention.

Enter Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep) who notices the peculiar relationship between Donald and Father Flynn. Her suspicions are given more clout when Donald’s teacher, Sister James (Amy Adams), reveals that her student has exhibited some peculiar behavior. This prompts Sister Aloysius to conduct her own investigation into Father Flynn’s activities to determine if he is a threat to the children in her school.

The key plot of Doubt is the relationship between Father Flynn and Donald. Is Flynn a priest looking after a troubled lamb or is there more going on behind closed doors? Back in the ‘60s I would assume that the subject of child molestation wasn’t a popular topic discussed in schools and typical households at the time. And a priest as the molester? No way. The very notion would probably be unthinkable and inconceivable. I wonder how Doubt would’ve fared in those times? Would that audience even suspect Father Flynn of wrong doing just a little bit?

I don’t know how Doubt would’ve dropped on the theatergoers in the 1960s but I know in 2008 I had plenty of cause to support Sister Aloysius’ “priest-hunt”. Over the past few years, many adults have come out publicly with their stories of priest inflicted abuse. I even saw a 2006 documentary called Deliver Us from Evil which chronicled the unspeakable acts of Father Oliver O’Grady through the recollections of some of his victims and even an interview with the priest himself. With my brain soaked in the horror stories of parishioners past I’m sorry to say that it came easily for me to suspect Father Flynn of wrongdoing. But that’s me. I’m sure there are many who will see this movie and instantly categorize Sister Aloysius as an instigating busybody who should focus more on God than playing Law & Order.

The story is good but there’s also a juicy quality to it. One of those movies you need to see with your buddy so you can exchange the occasional “Oh no she didn’t!” or “No way!” It’s not just the scenes where we see Flynn and Donald together but also the scenes that hint at naughtiness. One of these key scenes has Sister James spotting Flynn putting an undershirt back in a locker. Whose locker, you ask? Why, it was Donald Miller’s locker. Another shocker was when Sister Aloysius confessed her suspicions to Mrs. Miller (Viola Davis). It’s not quite the reaction I expected from Donald’s mother but in the context of that time I couldn’t hold her in contempt for it. At least, not complete contempt.

Lady Streep, yet again, steals the show as the dreaded principal of the school. Yes, I call her Lady Streep because she is royalty onscreen. She conquers practically every role she takes on. I really wonder how she is in real life. I think I was just blown away at seeing her as a carefree bachelorette parading around a Greek island one minute and then witnessing her drastic transformation into a dour, strict and ultraconservative nun. Oscar, Oscar will she win? I don’t know but I’m betting she’s gonna at least nab a nomination.

Actually, Sister Aloysius isn’t all doom & gloom. The wonderful screenplay allows us moments to see Aloysius from beyond the principal’s office. I liked the plot thread where Aloysius looks out for one of her sisters who is going blind. Aloysius fears that the woman will be kicked out if the truth is discovered so she covers for her and encourages her sisters to do the same. I also sensed that beneath that stony veneer there was something or some events that happened in her pre-nun life that forced her to become so….domineering.

I think she’s also forced to be so hard because it seems to be the only way she can assume any kind of power in the church. She explains about the power ladder where nuns rank pretty low under the priests, cardinals and bishops. Even if she proved that Father Flynn was making mischief with that boy she knows that the higher ups would side with Flynn first. She follows God but she must answer to men and I would imagine that would make her just a bit guarded.

In the opposite corner of the ring is Father Flynn played by actor extraordinaire, Phillip Seymour Hoffman. He comes across real nice and caring like a priest should. But then he did that thing with the nails and that gave me and my friend the willies. What kind of priest instructs his young male students to grow their nails a little longer and keep them clean? That was it for me. A clear and present admission, maybe not of child tampering but definitely something odd going on under the collar. Mr. Hoffman was very playful during his interrogation scenes opposite Lady Streep. Oh yeah, he came at her with a strong resolve but I think Hoffman let some cracks show. Just enough to plug that “what if?” in the minds of the viewers. Looks like Mr. Hoffman will have to extend his mantle again this year because Father Flynn is gonna win him a few more trophies, I think.

The first time I saw Amy Adams was not in Enchanted and not in Junebug nor was it Cruel Intentions 2. I was introduced to Ms. Adams talent in a little known piece called Drop Dead Gorgeous; a fabulous dark comedy about a small town beauty pageant. Amy was a riot as the uber-flirtatious cheerleader, Leslie Miller, who hoped her sensual charm and limber physicality would win her the Mount Rose crown. Well, Amy isn’t sporting any pompoms or talking critters in Doubt. As Sister James, Amy is seemingly the youngest of the nuns at the school and is also the sweetest. So imagine her shock and horror not only at Sister Aloysius’ accusation but also at the possibility that the woman might be on to something. Sister James starts off kind of naïve but she wises up pretty quickly under Sister Aloysius’ wing. I think a lot of viewers will empathize with Sister James conflict; she wants to protect the children but she doesn’t want to believe the worse about Father Flynn.

Alas, I did not see the original Broadway production featuring Cherry Jones so I can’t compare the film to the stage. On its own, however, the Doubt film is cleverly done and masterfully made. I’m sure the presentation received a major boost from the direction of Doubt’s original playwright, John Patrick Shanley. I love subtlety and Doubt is chock full of it. There’s no fanfare, no explosions. Everything is kept on the hush-hush. Even when Aloysius and Flynn get into it the heated exchange is behind closed doors. The little things like the bulb in the principal’s office constantly blowing out or windows mysteriously ajar slightly allowing a gust to pass through. And a delicious shot that shows Father Flynn and his “buddies” at supper contrasted with the nuns at dinner. Oh, so clever. My friend remarked how the gym class scene depicting the boys in ultra high shorts was on the money.

Obviously, I enjoyed Doubt since I haven’t said anything bad towards it throughout the article. It truly is one of the best dramatic films of 2008 and one of the most memorable stories from 2008. All the performances are outstanding, the visuals are crisp and loaded with more than meets the eye. Just a good strong drama that spoke to my very core and made my core talk right back.