How certain that you are right before you can justify the action of going all out to bring someone or something down? Do the means justify the ends? And in this pursuit of justice and goodness, where does compassion lie?
These are the questions that have gone through my mind since I have watched the movie “Doubt”.
The original play written by John Patrick Shanley in the year of 2004 has staged an interesting story against the timeline of 1964. A brief look into being black, being gay, nuns and priests, against the reform of the Second Vatican Council in that year whereby the Christian dogma was being examined to make it relevant to the modern world.
Being a Catholic, I am often weary about yet another movie that exposes the negative side of the Christian faith. And sure, at times, I wonder how much money has our Holy Father authorized just to settle all the child molest cases globally. However, I still believe that Catholicism has a lot to go for. Just because terrorism is bred in the name of Islam in some isolated regions of the world doesn’t reflect anything negative about the religion.
I enjoy watching slices of Catholicism from within “Doubt”. Thought it seems strange to me that without any opening prayers the movie dives right into the sermon that has little linkage to the Bible, some parts of the Eucharistic celebration are pretty authentic. Like the turning of bread into the body of Jesus at the alter by the priest with the altar boy ringing the bell at each key prayer. Also, it is interesting that the concept of doubt is being highlighted. In my faith, at least how I internalize it to be, there is always this element of “God works in a mysterious way” and to bridge that, it is called faith. But how do we believe in something when we cannot see it? We all feel the emotion of love, but what is love? How do we know love exists? And in “Doubt”, the concepts of forgiveness, compassion, and confession are also explored.
“Doubt” is a joy to watch, even if purely from the acting point of view. All four actors and actresses deserve to be nominated for Oscar – and they have – as well as the nomination for the Best Adapted Screenplay. I personally would like to see Meryl Streep winning the Best Actress category. She is that good.
4 replies on “Beyond the Topic of Doubt Lies the Question of Compassion and Love”
I will not comment on Catholicism, but yes Meryl Streep is a wonderful actress. Incidentally, most of the actresses I like seem to have gone into obscurity – Meg Ryan being one.
Darkspore – Indeed she is. OK. I admit that I have not watched most of Meryl Streep’s movie. But only because of the story lines.
Where is Meg Ryan these days? Not sure if I still like her the same after her lips enhancement … lol.
Ya, movies about religion is always very sensitive. For me personally, this one is smart and entertaining while Da Vinci Code is a bit offensive (the movie was far worse than the book).
I increasingly enjoy Meryl Streep’s performances, she gets better with age.
And ya, Meg Ryan’s lip enhancement looks really weird. They look unnatural and I think she might have used too much Botox too..
Cynthia – Oh yes, that Da Vinci Code movie is pretty terrible to watch. So, no Angel and Demon I guess?