"Doubt" in film and onstage
Photo: cinemapeek.com
On Friday, Oct. 2, the Lee University theatre department will premier the 2005 Pulitzer Prize winning stage play "Doubt: A Parable." This will be the first show of the fall semester, so in preparation, some friends and I recently watched the 2008 film adaptation starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Amy Adams and Viola Davis.
The film centers on a Brooklyn Catholic parish in 1964. Sister Aloysius, the principle of the school, enlists the help of a young teacher to investigate suspicions of abuse by the local priest Father Flynn. Without giving too much away, I will say the film confronts themes of corruption and abuse within the church, along with racial integration and homosexuality.
I was initially surprised to hear Lee was performing a show with such controversial topics, but I am glad to be at a school that is willing to confront hard issues. The film weaves its way around the polarizing conflict with a subtle grace that demands rapt attention and leaves the audience in a constant state of uncertainty.
All four lead actors received well deserved Academy Award nominations for their performances. They disappear fully into their roles, and bring an element of realism to their characters that adds weight to an already powerful film. The whole movie is a crescendo of uncertainty, conviction and outrage, building to a climax that leaves the characters and audience alike reconsidering what they believe to be true.
I highly recommend that you see the film version of "Doubt" to witness four incredible actors at their peak, but there's certain magic in seeing a live performance as well. For those who would like to support local art, showtimes for "Doubt: A Parable" and ticket information are available at leeuniversity.edu.