Author John Patrick Shanley’s powerful Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning drama DOUBT comes to life on screen. When you watch this picture you are incapable of tuning out.

As President Johnson signs the 1964 Civil Rights Act, integration sweeps the country enrolling the first African American student in Bronx’s St. Nicholas school, where the self assured and charming Father Flynn takes special liking to the boy. One may think he shares Donald Miller’s plight, perhaps he too feels ‘different’ or perhaps, Flynn finds himself at the point of doubt; doubting his calling, doubting the ‘ways’ of the strict secular life as practiced by the Sisters of the Church, who are portrayed iron willed and disciplined.

Young Sister James (played by Academy Award nominee Amy Adams) is concerned over an incident between Father Flynn and the young boy, Donald Miller, who returns to class one day from a meeting with Flynn. She smells alcohol on his breath. When she shares her feelings with Sister Aloysius Beauvier (portrayed by Academy Award winner Meryl Streep – still on top of her game) she mentions that Father Flynn on more than one occasion favors the boy. This sends Sister Aloysius Beauvier on a crusade, determined to uncover the truth about her suspicions. A notable performance worthy of mention is that of Viola Davis in the part of Mrs. Miller. There is an insight into Father Flynn through Mrs. Miller’s words.

Meryl Streep … Sister Aloysius Beauvier
Philip Seymour Hoffman … Father Brendan Flynn
Amy Adams … Sister James
Viola Davis … Mrs. Miller
Alice Drummond … Sister Veronica
Audrie J. Neenan … Sister Raymond (as Audrie Neenan)
Susan Blommaert … Mrs. Carson
Carrie Preston … Christine Hurley
John Costelloe … Warren Hurley
Lloyd Clay Brown … Jimmy Hurley
Joseph Foster … Donald Miller (as Joseph Foster II)
Bridget Megan Clark … Noreen Horan
Mike Roukis … William London

Call me furry, but what I love most about this story is that it’s up to the audience to decide Flynn’s motivation. Understanding the reciprocation of her actions wanting to rid the school of buoyant Flynn, Sister Beauvier acts solely on her instinct, without an ounce of proof. It is my instinct that she may just win another Oscar.

This work rides solely on the magnitude of performance, direction and especially, the story.

I am a stage trained cat. Anything I find fantastically fit for stage as well as film deserves praise. I give it four Chinny Bini paws!