Fridae

Doubt is not an easy film to watch. But it is the only new film to watch this week.

Nominated for 5 Oscars, the story is set in a Catholic school in 1964 New York. The school principal (Meryl Streep) is a no-nonsense nun who doesn't tolerate even the smallest transgressions among her students and staff. In contrast, the school priest (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) is a warm and jovial man who takes a more "progressive" view of Christianity.

The two, unsurprisingly, do not like each other. But things take a dive into hell when a new nun (Amy Adams) suspects Phillip of molesting a lonely altar boy (Joseph Foster). She reports this to Meryl, who is convinced that Phillip is guilty. He, however, insists otherwise.

Soon, the dispute extends beyond the issue of Phillip's conduct to include male versus female superiority, conservative versus progressive religious values, suspicion versus proof, and gay versus straight sexuality.

Written and directed by the gay-friendly John Patrick Shanley (he's not gay but has strongly supported the community), Doubt is a tightly-written and superbly-directed drama with powerhouse performances by two of LGBT community's favorite actors.

Meryl Streep, whose onscreen personas have inspired generations of gay women and men, is excellent as the harsh and puritanical nun. Phillip Seymour Hoffman, who's played gay characters in several films such as Capote, Boogie Nights and Flawless, gives an exquisitely nuanced performance - one of his best ever. We would be remiss in our duties if we didn't also mention Viola Davis, whose role as the altar boy's mother is heartbreaking and unforgettable.

To wit, Doubt is the sort of compelling and intelligent drama that serious movie-goers wait for every year during the Oscar season. They won't be disappointed.