When he asks if she’s ever done anything wrong, you can see she’s starting to break. He almost gets her to let her guard down until he says “we are the same”, then she takes control of the situation again. Such great acting in this scene and it never fails to give me goosebumps.
They were on fire here, and the dialogue is fantastic. One of those times when film catches the electricity of live performance. Streep is a legend; RIP, PSH.
@@yevgeniyaleshchenko849 If any adult, especially one entrusted with the welfare of children, believes that someone is a danger to children, they have a responsibility to report that to their higher-ups, and to go higher, outside their organization, if necessary. For some time now, teachers have been mandated reporters of abuse. It could be possible for a principal to be sued or even prosecuted for failing to report even a strong suspicion, and to ensure that it's investigated by child protective services. In these cases, it seems the Church has kept these cases within their own cloistered walls.
I wonder who first thought that transferring pedo from parish to parish was a good solution to the child molester priests. Probably who ever was first behind that arrangement probably was a pedo too
I watch this scene over and over. These actors just shine off each other. I love the juxtaposition of the priest confessing to the nun. I love how she cradles her shawl like protecting a child even though the sister is the perceived threat throughout the entire film. Her reference to compassion and 'the drunkard with his tot of rum', harking back to her marriage, gives a bit of a back story, but not too much. The attention to detail is incredible.
Him beginning to write a “letter of removal” would have normally scared the hell out of any fresh nun…notice how she isn’t one bit bothered and continues to interrogate him…beautiful scene
She's convinced and there's nothing he can do or say to change her mind. She sucks. Perfectly willing to break the rules to achieve her aims, and when he calls her on it, it only convinces her more. In my experience people like this are generally the most unscrupulous in their condemnations, because they don't hold themselves accountable for their own moral insufficiency's. Ultimately he wins on both fronts. He is promoted, and she has a moment of doubt at the end which suggests that the circumstances have cracked her moral zealotry. THE PERSON WHO LOSES is the CHILD! No more loving benevolent father figure. The mother n\ew instinctively the whole time and pleaded to the nun to let it be.
@@Bibbo8844hdbksthat’s if you believe the priest is innocent which based on the way he panics when we hears she spoke to a nun and not a pastor (who was have his back) makes me have…doubts
@@Bibbo8844hdbks You are apart of a small minority who thinks that and I can tell you've NEVER experienced something like that before. I HAVE. I don't need to research the characters of a fucking movie to know that either....You may not know this but sometimes there's only certainty... Were YOU watching???? LOL if he's got authority over her why not just ignore/kill/punish her like other priests have done?? Because he DID IT and didn't know exactly how much proof she had, therefore he's being "smart" about it and going to another church before the parents find out. Again, she's not just any old new school nun....she knows the potential of all kinds of evil...which is why she mentioned having Doubt...not what you're saying. LOL she's doubting her own FAITH because she knows this wont stop with HIM going to another church. You clearly dont' understand how the Catholic church works either....so many nuns have tried to report this before and gave their lives, and places as a respected sister of their convents. All they do is send the pedophile priest to another church with it FULLY in their knowledge....why do you think so many victims are suing so many priests right now? Because their statute of limitations is extended and they still have time to turn the bastards in.... A black child's testimony absolutely wouldn't even be enough in those times to put him away....at that time NOBODY would ever dare getting ousted from the church. Sister also knew this and that's why she chose to advocate for the child...THE WHOLE POINT YOU MISSED. IF she was just desperate to be vile and get people in trouble, they'd never give a nun that type of power over a SCHOOL. The priesthood would override her every turn....that's ALSO why the priest simply gets to go away and not be leaving in handcuffs. I dont care how much good any Catholic church has done for the community....my kids wont be in it....and that's due to the extensive atrocities they've committed against humanity and children especially.
I believe, after Sophie's Choice and maybe Cry in the Dark, this is Meryl Streep's finest and fullest performance. She is unbelievable here. Not only embodying the sternest of nuns, she is also showing vulnerability in scenes like this, but also the scant humor in others. This is a tour-de-force without any doubt(!). The whole film is an acting force: Adams, Hoffman, and, especially, Davis...all are great, but Streep, my god, what an actor, a role, and a performance.
Meryl has never phoned in a performance. She gives everything to the role. Her performances have dimension and depth. The best actress of her generation. It's a shame that she hasn't filmed a movie since 2020's Don't Look Up which was released in 2021. She needs to get back to acting in movies.
Her acting is heartbreaking. Leads you to wonder what kind of past she herself has. And how he’s using that against her. Just when she’s about to break she gains control again.
Someone pointed out that she's cradling a shawl as if it were a baby at 5:12, and they reminded the audience that she was previously a married woman. Maybe something happened to her child or she lost it, and this could potentially be a way for her to "make up for it" in her mind.
Yea at her breaking point she didn’t break. Like a piece of iron being tempered, got stronger. Fighting our own humanity is a sure sign of positive evolution .
This movie is such a master class in acting. My gut feeling at the end of the movie was he was guilty, you just don’t want to believe it because he was a more likeable character and she wasn’t. But prickly as she was she was trying to protect the children.
These are two consummate actors. Unfortunately not even their great talents could convince me that this could approach anything resembling reality as it has been my personal experience that no member of any religious order would even dream of standing up for the victims.
What’s amazing about the play and the film is that a skilled actor in both roles can make you feel doubt in all sense of the word. When I read the play for my major in college I was told that the original production of the play the actors would switch doubts every performance so the audience had truly no idea if he did it or not. One night he could be guilty the other night he could be certain. While in the movie there is a certain sense that he did do it, it’s still never truly said if he did it or not and still to this day people argue about whether or not he’s guilty or innocent. It’s one of the greatest plays ever written and I’m so happy it got adapted to film.
The whole story, Flynn wants to act as the superior to Aloysius. He commands authority in little and big ways such as sitting in HER chair in HER office. But now that he is cornered, he wants to pull some crap about them reaching some understanding just because they’re sinners: “we are the same.”
My theory is Sister Aloysius had an abortion earlier in life. When he confronts her about her having committed a mortal sin she begins to break. Abortion was and still is a mortal sin in the eyes of the church. My guess is that her pregnancy came about under darker circumstances. After which she felt so ashamed that she committed herself to god as a nun. Note the way she swaddles her shawl at 5:10. And the sense of protection she has over the kids at the school. Even the way she judges Donald Millers mother for turning away from the potential abuse of her son. She has a connection to these kids because she sees them as the child she lost. Just my theory.
@@JFK-ir7yz So everyone here is ''lost'' while you are the only one seeing the ''truth'' that you can't even explain or provide arguments for. People have different interpretations, some even agree with you. It's the place to have a rational discussion instead of making these passive-aggressive comments with the sole purpose of elevating oneself. Get off your high horse.
I don’t own a horse. I’m not passive aggressive. And I can explain any “argument” or point I make. Talk about hypocrisy. Triggered much? Yes. Most of the people in this comment section missed the mark, by a wide margin. Most don’t even mention Sister James and her view that Father Flynn is completely innocent. Sister Alysius admitted she lied and that her feeling alone is proof enough. That sadly is what most people here agree with, which is why the movie is so excellent. And exposes how everyone (including you it definitely seems) jumps to conclusions based on emotion alone. But the doubt is still there. Which as father Flynn states in his sermon about gossip, once cast, is impossible to retract.
But seems evil always triumph over good. This is the cold fact of life. Everywhere, evil triumphs, from religion to government, every part of society that ought to be good; lurks evil over and over again.
@AmosArdent-zx6jj "But seems evil always triumph over good." - It's what it does - it performs very spectacular song and dance numbers - tricks with smoke and mirrors. But it knows - soon you will see through the charade - and knows its power to distract and wow you, will be at an end. Truth is - it requires no force or power. It's what remain when all else wither and dissolve to dust. It always wins - by default. It's....a persistent motherfucker :) I accept it, because evil, despite its compelling aspects, and despite my best attempts - always left me in a state of loss and regret. Be what may - I'm too tired, too old and too empty - I just want to rest in what is - and I found it good, merciful and of a loving kind. In due time - what is and what is not - reveals itself. Keep the faith. Sense the sun rise soon - just beyond them hills - keep walking, it's there - you'll see. ua-cam.com/video/2246pd9W88M/v-deo.html&ab_channel=BillyIdol-Topic If the journey was easy - without thrills and chills - it wouldn't be meaningful and gloriously divine. :) Don't fear evil - it's just desperate to be understood - it needs a friend. It's alone and it's afraid - nothing else. ❤ Jesus saves.
This is where it is clear that Father Flynn was guilty. 0:34 Flynn: You should have spoken to the pastor. Aloysius: I spoke to a nun. The pastor would have covered up Flynn's activities. The nun wouldn't.
@@Donillini I was thinking at first maybe it was just that Sister Aloy didn't like Father Fly, but if he had NOTHING at all(especially anything that could've been revisited or even taken to be predator)buried in his past then he wouldn't have allowed her to basically push him out? I was also thinking that maybe Sister Aloy didn't speak up in the past for a child and that's why she's so protective over Donald Miller?
i thought it was obvious all his actions were to protect the boy. Thats why they made a big deal showing the feathers AKA rumors flying everywhere and impossible to get them back. She wouldnt stop..and she had no evidence. He knew there was no way this would resolve itself and the boy would have a chance at a normal life. Im surprised to see so many comments totally believing he was a child molester and this scene or that scene proved it bc of a small decision the actor made by nodding yes and saying no, or him getting riled up about her calling another nun. No evidence was shown in the movie .. even remotely.. of his guilt. But we do know nuns like this are the norm not the exception and he knows his methods and new way of approaching religion isnt liked by old school nuns so they probably all have it out for him. In the end im surprised i havent seen more comments simply explain why he left without a fight. It was to protect the kid bc even if he won, like the feathers.. it wouldnt matter. Especially with how kids are. And his father too in his case
Religious groups, just in general, are very particular about following hierarchy in dealing with conflict. They're very opposed to just going public about anything. Like most professional groups, actually.
Not always though. If someone accuses you of something you havent done how do you NOT become defensive ? I was accused of stealing at work once. Until they looked at the camera footage and it turned out to be someone else. You best believe I was defensive and angry !!
@@bo2720 Thank you.. I love how this movie is written. Her accusations may or may not be true leaving it up to the viewer. Personally, I think her character is despicable , yet at the same time., she may have a point, then later we find out lied about making a phone call to a nun. Excellent writing, and towering performances by all
@@MVR326You missed the point. He was guilty, and it was her refusal to be silenced by the power structure in the church that made her righteous. Of course he just moved to another school and probably did it again, but not on her watch. No offense but it’s your attitude that lets this stuff perpetuate She had her flaws, we all do, but she had the best interest of those children in mind always
I wish movies like these were more popular than The Avengers for example. Such amazing acting, superb dialogue, and real-life situations. Art helps humanity see itself.
Well superhero movies are made for adults and children so they inevitably are more popular, a movie about a pedo priest is gonna have a smaller target demographic
The doubt in the title is NOT about her doubting the priest's nature.....it's about her doubting the church and her faith because of the institutionalized homosexuality and pedophilia
I thought that. They've either not watched the film (which is excellent) or completely missed the point. We never know if he is guilty or not. Hence-doubt.
@@slapshot0074 He couldn’t be more guilty. “Whatever I have done, I have confessed it so that makes me interfering with a vulnerable child hunky dory.” No innocent person ever has to raise their voice, nor threaten an accuser as he does. And calling her back when he finally sees she is not threatened is pretty damning evidence. He even uses trite phrases like “beyond your understanding” to try to excuse his behavior.
It genuinely terrifies me how many people feel so CERTAIN the priest was guilty. Even this video title says it. But the movie is intentionally designed to make you NOT know. To have doubts. There is no solid evidence he's guilty of anything. He might just be gay, and was helping the boy work through his own identity issues. We just don't know.
@chewface have you been living under a rock? The entire catholic church GLOBALLY has been complicit in rampant child abuse and moving priests around to avoid the police. They are all nonces.
Exactly. These accusations would be laughed out of a court of law. There simply is no evidence of any misconduct on his part. Hell, the kid never even *accused* him of it, and liked him and was saddened that he had to leave. The film is brilliant in enabling the audience to form its own conclusions. It separates the logical from the morbidly imaginative.
Nothing beats getting two great actors and sticking them in a scene together...dueting and dueling...over and over...'Doubt' is a classic full of that for the acting connissuer...I put this is up there with Olivier/Hoffman, Brando/Pacino...and It's quite a brilliant film to boot
oof...the content of this scene is overwhelming. This was a good play and an equally good film. This pivotal scene is very powerful. Thanks for sharing
No, it's not. Doubt refers to the internalised doubt and conflict inherent in these relationships and interactions, and yes, to some extent, the doubt over whether he did the crime - but the movie's subtext is pretty clear. Moving abusive pedofile priests from parish to parish is something that - by the time of this movie's release - had been proven. The Catholic Church was responsible for covering up thousands and thousands of instances of child abuse. The movie is telling us that he did it.
I’m glad to see they put a box above these videos for victims of Catholic sex abuse to contact about lawsuits. If you are watching this and you’ve experienced abuse at their hands….reach out! Don’t let it stay hidden. Force these ghouls into the light!
Absolutely! Holy Mother Church is in desperate need of a cleansing; it only stands to reason that the Church Militant should be held to the highest moral and ethical standards and that failure should be swiftly punished.
They are ‘invulnerable to true regret.’ The writing here is marvelous. The last line out of sister’s mouth spot light’s his one private vestige wherein he kept his true nature in defiance of his priestly garb. She sliced right through his psyche with that command.
That's not fair, Philip Seymour Hoffman was the male equivalent of, well, Meryl Streep, any given role he's in, he's the best. Any character in the Batman mythos he would've been perfect in. Including, but not limited to Barbara Gordon/Batgirl.
I wish, with all of my heart, that Phillip could have been saved. I wish someone had noticed he was struggling and I wish he had been able to get help. He is so sorely missed. 😔
He left because he knew that she’d never stop going after him. That she would ruin his reputation with the her pursuit to be right. His leaving was not an admission of guilt it was for self preservation.
I disagree. At the beginning of the scene he was preparing to write a letter to have her removed. And even though she reported him, the monsignor didn't believe her. He had far more power than she and people liked him a lot more than they liked her. If he were truly wrongly accused, he would have no trouble taking her down.
@@CreaticityIsLifeshe was going to fanatically persecute him by going all the way to looking for parents of an abused boy. This would have killed his career guilty or innocent. She was willing to sacrifice herself to destroy him on nothing more than a hunch. She lied to his face in telling him she spoke to a nun at his last parish. She would have done anything and would have felt righteous indignation in doing so. His hand was forced. He had to concede defeat because he wasn't willing to fight to a pyrrhic victory at best. If he was truly innocent (and the movie never makes it clear that he isn't), then I feel bad for him as he was just another victim of a dishonest, sanctimonious tyrannical old crone. And even if she's right and he really did something, she's still a sadist and a hypocrite. Awesome movie and first rate acting for sure...
@@opensourceanglers8291ew. No. His anger at being ‘discovered’ by her supposed phone call to a nun instead of a priest? Told the story. He’s a molestor. They shuffled these types around and ruined the lives of thousands. Good for her for standing on what was good instead of what was easy. ‘If she was right’. Then he was a violator and desecrator of children. It would have been very easy for him to call his prior parish and the bishop and have her removed if none of it was true. Interestingly- he didn’t . She could go back all three parishes. What story was he afraid she would find. The people that needed protecting here was not the nun or the priest. It was those kids.
@@opensourceanglers8291 If there were no parents of abused children to find, her goal to seek them wouldn’t be a threat to him. If he knows those parents exist, however…
@ragingzim respectfully, the search for said parents is a threat to his career even if he's innocent. The search itself is an accusation and she was to go all the way with it and it's unlikely that his career would have survived it. He knew this. She was threatening to de facto publicly accuse him and she was willing to train wreck her own career and relationship with the church in her fanatical will to do so. She made that abundantly clear and in no uncertain terms. That very scene is the climax of the story. The genius of this play is that it's all about the lack of certainty about what actually happened. Did he or didn't he? That's never made clear and that's completely intentional. The point of the story is to bring attention to the vagaries of a situation like this. It's a brilliant story that truly lives up to it's name.
Worst part is…it was privately confirmed that Hoffman’s priest isn’t predatory. He is secretly homosexual, as is the young boy who feels immense shame. His compassion was merely being someone he could talk to in private and confer with.
I think you hit on it, at least on how Hoffman and the director decided to interpret and play this script to promote real doubt in the audience. We know he claims is innocent, yet is wracked with guilt over something. He appears to feel guilt about a diffeent mortal sin, yet somehow connected to this boy. Shared internalized homophobia and catholic guilt makes sense.
Self-doubt is literally overcome through solidarity and pride. People don’t realize the effect internalized homophobia can provoke in youth. The shame and isolation at that age can result in significant emotional damage an adult.
@@Rnankn boys that age become homosexual through parental neglect by the same-sex parent, sexual abuse, and improper exposure to sex. Think I'm lying? Forty to seventy percent of the clergy are gay. Perhaps 20-30% of them began serving the church as boys. In 2020, that number is 70% of all ordained priests. Similar systematic abuse and homosexuality exists in the Buddhist priesthood too. Eighty percent of LGBT people report having adverse emotional and sexual experiences in childhood. So even if your interpretation of the film is correct, it is opposed to reality. It is not true that internalized homophobia leads to emotional damage as an adult. The ****sexual tendency is the adult damage.
So the entire point of the play and movie is that you don't know if the priest did anything wrong. Hence the title "Doubt". it's actually a way better play since the actors can feel the audience and adjust their performances to maintain their Doubt about who is right.
I'm certain everyone watching this knows how lucky we are to be able to watch these two masters of their craft. How fortunate we are to be able to witness such sensitivity and their devastatingly absolute control of their instruments.
Despite what the video title claims, we don't know whether her accusations are true or not, its the whole thesis of the movie. The movie never presents us any evidence for or against her claims and she is shown to lie and manipulate others into believing her accusations with out any evidence. Keep that in mind when watching the video as it's not about confronting a guilty man, but about the lengths she will go to enforce her beliefs whether or not they are unfounded. The priest may or may not have abused a minor, it is entirely up to the viewer to decide if they desire, but it is not the point of the movie.
@@thewafflemaniak5698 You are focused on a woman/nun ‘enforcing her beliefs’ and how that’s wrong of her, when ALL of them are enforcing unfounded beliefs ie in God. But you are more preoccupied with her beliefs as she seeks to investigate and protect a vulnerable boy. Why is that?
I think it was very obvious that her intentions were malignant: she expressed great hatred towards his vision and ideas about a more friendly church, more open to the community. In contrast to her cold fear driven authority. She took that personally and that amongst other things (hating all men because her husband died in the war? being gay herself and in conflict? past trauma? ) made her literally say that she was going to destroy him with gossip and accusations. He had no other way out. Staying would kill his reputation - and that of the boy - who outed to the priest he was gay and the movie implies that the priest is also gay.
The whole point of this play/movie is that there's no definitive proof that the priest was an "abuser". Hence the title "Doubt". You need to rewrite your title line.
In the end, she confesses her deep doubts about her accusations. He appears to be a gay priest who has not acted sexually but understands the gay child and is helping him traverse a troubling time in his life and show him platonic love.
No it wasn’t that she doubted her accusations. It was that she doubted her faith. That’s the beauty of this film. It allows you to think and doesn’t completely show you his guilt.
@@rickandosca8262 yes there is. He later stated he was guilty but the film is supposed to be about the doubt of the sisters faith. So many people fall for the obvious, that because the film is called doubt it’s the question of his guilt. It’s all her faith or lack thereof at the end.
That's just one way to look at it. It was still heavily implied that he abused the blonde boy. He could have also used the excuse of ''helping out the fellow gay'' to groom and molest Donald.
@@jujubegold "He later stated he was guilty", he later stated he was guilty of going after the boy? Really? Unless your J.P.S.----it seems to me it`s about doubt in many ways not only the older nun's doubts.
What demons did he use to portray this role with so much pain? What an incredible actor and in this scene you can see his talent is on par with the indomitable Meryl Streep. So sad he could not outrun whatever tortured him in his personal life. He was a brilliant actor.
The movie is called Doubt. We are not supposed to know whether the Priest is a sex abuser or not. The title of this post falls into the same trap that Meryl Streep's character does. and ther by misses the whole point of the movie and the struggles that all of the characters must ultimately deal with.
Wow, what a moving, intense, and emotional scene from two amazing actors. Just watching this scene alone makes it seem like a real privilege to watch Meryl Streep and Phillip Seymour Hoffman together on the screen.
When I saw the play on stage, I believed the priest was innocent; in the film, I believed he was guilty. Fascinating how nearly identical dialogue can produce different reactions.
Click bait title. The entire point of this movie was that she only had suspicions about his actions and moved on them as if they were confirmed. Once her goals were achieved she lived with such doubts. Outstanding movie. The world we live in rarely gives us the confirmation we seek on our suspicions. We all must learn to live with our doubts and to not convict the world on our suspicions.
This title is misleading and oversimplifies the complexity of the movie. Throughout, you see evidence supporting both the priest's innocence and guilt, yet you never find out definitively if he is guilty or not.
I agree. I think he probably is gay-not a pedophile- and could be sympathetic to the boy's predicament (gay with a homophobic father). He may know this through confession which is supported by his statement, "you know there are many things I can't say", a reference to the seal of confession, a concept that the nun would have known. That fact may be the foundation of the doubt she expresses in the end of the film. I think it is unclear as to what his interaction with the boy was. But even the possibility of the priest being a pedophile pushes the viewer to assume he is, since his departure definitively protects the boy, and his staying puts the child at risk if there is doubt.
@@nicholasholiday941 I would agree with you if it wasn't for two scenes with William London. In one, he's the only one at a table of other boys drinking lemonade, who looks at Father Flynn without a smile or admiration. Then there's the unusual, stern incident Sister A mentions when he grabbed William's wrist, which shows Flynn has another side to him besides the kindness he showed Donald Miller in the hallway. The other scene is Flynn's goodbye sermon where we see Donald's sadness, juxtaposed with William's small smile, which to me confirms Flynn's guilt. Although, to nod to your theory, this movie is good that it could just be the boys' had surface-level, innocent encounters with Father Flynn and your theory is correct. (Also, you make a great point in your last line).
OK Spoilers if you care about this movie I don’t think the person who made this video actually read the book. In the book, he never actually did it. It is just heavily implied, and the whole point of the book is that this lady’s self righteousness got the better of her, and in the end, she experienced, guess what, doubt.
It's a play and the playwright has never confirmed either way. What he HAS said, was that he has told the actor playing the Priest in various productions "how" to play the character. And it isn't always the same answer. There is no "truth" beyond our own interpretation and prejudices
The title is wrong, the whole point of the movie was that even the nun accusing the priest in this scene in the end was not sure if he was guilty or not, and so is the audience, that's why it was called "Doubt".
Have you actually watched this film? The point of it was that, in that particular case, there was no abuse. Gossip and rumour, and people with agendas were the abusers in that scenario. That was meant to be the lesson. So she's not 'confronting an abusive priest' there. Please just watch the film yourselves and think for yourselves 👍
This is ridiculous. At that point in church history, no nun would dare take on a priest, any priest--let alone an acting pastor. Nuns would not dare confront a priest in public or private. Nuns lived in their own subservient universe; priests existed in their own superior cosmos. The branches of religious were not separate but equal. Priests were regarded as having an almost mystical gift. No one but a superior would dare call out a Catholic priest.
Hmmm a Protestant nun sure would have . Some nuns are even rumored to be prophetic and speak about the spiritual revelations they’ve seen. It’s rare but it can happen.
Oh--and the bonnets worn by the nuns in the film were typical of the Sisters of Charity in the early 1900's. But at this point in time, nuns of that order wore wimples and veils. Check out Audrey Hepburn's scrupulous costuming in Fred Zinneman's The Nun Story. That look from the 1940's held sway until the late 1960's.
The whole point of the whole play (and film) is that we don't know the truth. We know the perspective of Sister Aloysius, and we know what Father Flynn says, and can certainly imagine the possibility that he is being unfairly accused. That's what makes this scene so powerful.
Flynn wasn't a sex abuser, he was gay or at least somewhere in the LGBT spectrum. It was obvious. They made a point of long, clean nails, his desire to modernise his church and his insistence on love being the most important thing, even if the rules sometimes don't allow it. He had been helping Donald Miller deal with his sexuality and the abuse he faced because of it.
He was gay for little boys totally inappropriate for him to be talking to a young drunk child alone about LGBT. You’re misinterpreting his nails as a stereotype for gay men. He is a control freak
The abuse he faced was at the hands of this charming and manipulative priest and because of his race. The priest capitalized on this and used his isolation for his own sexual gratification. Yes you are right to assume he was gay because he diddled a young boy, but you have been manipulated by a movie character predator as the script was intended to do was cause doubt
@@jamesrella763 FYI... I talked about the fingernails thing because it's a stereotype. There's a thing about film where every scene and every shot has a purpose. The fingernails thing is certainly a stereotype but my view is that it was part of the clues to lead you to the conclusion that he's gay. I have no love for religion and if I'm honest, I assume every priest is doing something with kids until I get proof to the contrary and that they only move to a new church when they've been caught. Maybe you're using the same bias I have to draw you to an expected conclusion, rather than the unexpected one.
@@Michelle_Schu-blacka do you assume every teacher is abusing their students? I think you are onto something that maybe he didn’t abuse the kid, but rather was worried about being outed. This movie is designed to create DOUBT of what’s really happening
I think the way the play evolves we are supposed to be inclined to side with the Priest, but the point is that's part of how guilty priests got away with it for so long.
One of her finest performances ! Again ! She is frighteningly good ! This was one of his finest performances as well. Boy, were we lucky to have them !
When she asks him straight up about the wine, he shakes his head yes when saying no. On the following question he answers no and also shakes his head no... absolutely brilliant acting from Hoffman.
When he asks if she’s ever done anything wrong, you can see she’s starting to break. He almost gets her to let her guard down until he says “we are the same”, then she takes control of the situation again. Such great acting in this scene and it never fails to give me goosebumps.
You're so right, incredible acting.
He’s gaslighting her.
Outstanding Meryl Streep ❤
They were on fire here, and the dialogue is fantastic. One of those times when film catches the electricity of live performance. Streep is a legend; RIP, PSH.
The movie is called "doubt" for a reason.
How lucky we are to see two artists like this in our lifetimes. RIP Phillip.
Is that your baby on your profile pic? It’s such a cute baby!!
And Viola Davis too. Three incredibly gifted actors really playing off each other. It’s quite something.
100 percent agree.
The idea that we’ll never see an old man PSH acting is such a waste of life and talent
Preach! Seriously this is the best scene.
Transferring offenders has been an unfortunate "solution" all too often. It only endangers more children.
True but she alone could not have banished him from everywhere. She did what she could at her level.
@@yevgeniyaleshchenko849 If any adult, especially one entrusted with the welfare of children, believes that someone is a danger to children, they have a responsibility to report that to their higher-ups, and to go higher, outside their organization, if necessary. For some time now, teachers have been mandated reporters of abuse. It could be possible for a principal to be sued or even prosecuted for failing to report even a strong suspicion, and to ensure that it's investigated by child protective services. In these cases, it seems the Church has kept these cases within their own cloistered walls.
I wonder who first thought that transferring pedo from parish to parish was a good solution to the child molester priests. Probably who ever was first behind that arrangement probably was a pedo too
Also, from what I remember, it is never certain in the film that he was guilty.
true
I watch this scene over and over. These actors just shine off each other. I love the juxtaposition of the priest confessing to the nun. I love how she cradles her shawl like protecting a child even though the sister is the perceived threat throughout the entire film. Her reference to compassion and 'the drunkard with his tot of rum', harking back to her marriage, gives a bit of a back story, but not too much. The attention to detail is incredible.
"where's your compassion?"
"nowhere you can get at it"
BOOM
I always thought the way she cradle her shawl like a baby it was to tell us she aborted a baby-her mortal sin-or gave it always either or.
I believe she is Elizabeth Ann Seton, who was married with a past...
So wish I could have seen that production of "The Seagull". The two of them as mother and son.
I thought she was holding a cat.
Him beginning to write a “letter of removal” would have normally scared the hell out of any fresh nun…notice how she isn’t one bit bothered and continues to interrogate him…beautiful scene
She's convinced and there's nothing he can do or say to change her mind. She sucks.
Perfectly willing to break the rules to achieve her aims, and when he calls her on it, it only convinces her more.
In my experience people like this are generally the most unscrupulous in their condemnations, because they don't hold themselves accountable for their own moral insufficiency's.
Ultimately he wins on both fronts. He is promoted, and she has a moment of doubt at the end which suggests that the circumstances have cracked her moral zealotry.
THE PERSON WHO LOSES is the CHILD! No more loving benevolent father figure. The mother n\ew instinctively the whole time and pleaded to the nun to let it be.
@@Bibbo8844hdbksthat’s if you believe the priest is innocent which based on the way he panics when we hears she spoke to a nun and not a pastor (who was have his back) makes me have…doubts
@@Bibbo8844hdbks You are apart of a small minority who thinks that and I can tell you've NEVER experienced something like that before. I HAVE. I don't need to research the characters of a fucking movie to know that either....You may not know this but sometimes there's only certainty...
Were YOU watching???? LOL if he's got authority over her why not just ignore/kill/punish her like other priests have done?? Because he DID IT and didn't know exactly how much proof she had, therefore he's being "smart" about it and going to another church before the parents find out. Again, she's not just any old new school nun....she knows the potential of all kinds of evil...which is why she mentioned having Doubt...not what you're saying. LOL she's doubting her own FAITH because she knows this wont stop with HIM going to another church.
You clearly dont' understand how the Catholic church works either....so many nuns have tried to report this before and gave their lives, and places as a respected sister of their convents. All they do is send the pedophile priest to another church with it FULLY in their knowledge....why do you think so many victims are suing so many priests right now? Because their statute of limitations is extended and they still have time to turn the bastards in....
A black child's testimony absolutely wouldn't even be enough in those times to put him away....at that time NOBODY would ever dare getting ousted from the church. Sister also knew this and that's why she chose to advocate for the child...THE WHOLE POINT YOU MISSED. IF she was just desperate to be vile and get people in trouble, they'd never give a nun that type of power over a SCHOOL. The priesthood would override her every turn....that's ALSO why the priest simply gets to go away and not be leaving in handcuffs.
I dont care how much good any Catholic church has done for the community....my kids wont be in it....and that's due to the extensive atrocities they've committed against humanity and children especially.
Of course she has no fear, as very typical of her like!
@@TheeKittyPie At least I know which side you would be on at the Salem witch trials.
I believe, after Sophie's Choice and maybe Cry in the Dark, this is Meryl Streep's finest and fullest performance. She is unbelievable here. Not only embodying the sternest of nuns, she is also showing vulnerability in scenes like this, but also the scant humor in others. This is a tour-de-force without any doubt(!). The whole film is an acting force: Adams, Hoffman, and, especially, Davis...all are great, but Streep, my god, what an actor, a role, and a performance.
I just watched Out of Africa again, and she was ethereal.
I can't believe she didn't win the academy award for this role.
Meryl has never phoned in a performance. She gives everything to the role. Her performances have dimension and depth. The best actress of her generation. It's a shame that she hasn't filmed a movie since 2020's Don't Look Up which was released in 2021. She needs to get back to acting in movies.
You are 100% right. This scene alone has to be the best performance I have witnessed from her, and she has dozens of great performances!
Yeah as in like I didn't even know it was her. Granted I was watching it on my phone in a well lit room. Still..
"Nowhere you can get at it." Priceless.
My favorite line .. Something I kept with me
Done.
The way he looks at her after. She is his monster. She is the predator, and he is prey, in that moment.
Perfect
Great delivery, she's straight out of 'the departed." Harder thank frank costello.
Her acting is heartbreaking. Leads you to wonder what kind of past she herself has. And how he’s using that against her. Just when she’s about to break she gains control again.
Someone pointed out that she's cradling a shawl as if it were a baby at 5:12, and they reminded the audience that she was previously a married woman. Maybe something happened to her child or she lost it, and this could potentially be a way for her to "make up for it" in her mind.
I don't thonk he's using it against her. I think it's an appeal to her humanity.
@@lewiscoacher7781 ua-cam.com/video/wmmBT_4dmI0/v-deo.htmlsi=6duX9ZiIBdAZvyxM
The raped hate rapists
Yea at her breaking point she didn’t break. Like a piece of iron being tempered, got stronger. Fighting our own humanity is a sure sign of positive evolution .
This is one of the best scenes of two phenomenal actors in all of film history.
No lol
@Bob-wb1is no, the truth will not be stifled. This movie is trash and the performance by Meryl was really off
It’s a pretty emotional topic and I think we can agree that this woman’s pursuit of what is undeniably right plays into the value of the scene.
@@lawrenceragnarok1186 Some men take umbrage that other men have their grooming/predatory behaviours exposed.
@ragingzim hahaha, no. I don't like anything Hollywood related because it supports predators. Nice try though.
This movie is such a master class in acting.
My gut feeling at the end of the movie was he was guilty, you just don’t want to believe it because he was a more likeable character and she wasn’t. But prickly as she was she was trying to protect the children.
True.
Very true also we have no idea of the extent of his wrong doings
Right!
Your gut feeling is exactly what the movie is about: Feelings over facts.
@@LTrotsky21stCentury I think it was also about the need for certainty.
"Where's your compassion?"
"Nowhere you can get at it."
********BOOM***********
I laughed out loud at that one. She really got him there.
Yes I remember that line WOW!
@@greghanna7753 how?
@@greghanna7753 yes very saintly of her
Never seen this movie did he in fact hurt children
Not a breath of over acting makes this so believable. Loved watching their eyes- how they study each others faces.
Masters of the craft.
These are two consummate actors. Unfortunately not even their great talents could convince me that this could approach anything resembling reality as it has been my personal experience that no member of any religious order would even dream of standing up for the victims.
@@nunyabiznez6381 Good point.
You large fanny
What’s amazing about the play and the film is that a skilled actor in both roles can make you feel doubt in all sense of the word. When I read the play for my major in college I was told that the original production of the play the actors would switch doubts every performance so the audience had truly no idea if he did it or not. One night he could be guilty the other night he could be certain. While in the movie there is a certain sense that he did do it, it’s still never truly said if he did it or not and still to this day people argue about whether or not he’s guilty or innocent. It’s one of the greatest plays ever written and I’m so happy it got adapted to film.
I have to say that this film has had a great impact on my life. It's really unbelievable how biased we can get to be in some circumstances.
"I can fight you"
"You will lose"
Goddamn that line struck me
Blessed be the holy name of God
Abstinence of offense language offends NO ONE.....
@@rudyferrellBut weakness offends all.
"I know you are invulnerable to true regret......and cut your nails". OUCH!
And she says it with unbreakable certainty.
The whole story, Flynn wants to act as the superior to Aloysius. He commands authority in little and big ways such as sitting in HER chair in HER office. But now that he is cornered, he wants to pull some crap about them reaching some understanding just because they’re sinners: “we are the same.”
The powershift from the beginning of this scene and the end is truely a masterclass of writing and acting. Superb.
My theory is Sister Aloysius had an abortion earlier in life. When he confronts her about her having committed a mortal sin she begins to break. Abortion was and still is a mortal sin in the eyes of the church. My guess is that her pregnancy came about under darker circumstances. After which she felt so ashamed that she committed herself to god as a nun. Note the way she swaddles her shawl at 5:10. And the sense of protection she has over the kids at the school. Even the way she judges Donald Millers mother for turning away from the potential abuse of her son. She has a connection to these kids because she sees them as the child she lost. Just my theory.
I don't think the Church would take her as a nun for having had an abortion. Maybe. But I doubt it. Or maybe she never told anyone
@@Abr022575She would’ve lied about it.
@@ryan3136 probably
OR---that was not what she was talking about at all.
Never watched the movie but good theory, just based on your explanation! Come through subtext and backstory!
When Streep asks the priest if he gave Donald Miller the wine, he says no. However, his body language says otherwise. He nods yes
The non verbal communication tells us way more than the dialogue….always.
@@albertmarnell9976 oh please, you don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.
He didn’t give home the wine. How is every person in this comment section so lost ?
@@JFK-ir7yz So everyone here is ''lost'' while you are the only one seeing the ''truth'' that you can't even explain or provide arguments for. People have different interpretations, some even agree with you. It's the place to have a rational discussion instead of making these passive-aggressive comments with the sole purpose of elevating oneself. Get off your high horse.
I don’t own a horse. I’m not passive aggressive. And I can explain any “argument” or point I make. Talk about hypocrisy. Triggered much?
Yes. Most of the people in this comment section missed the mark, by a wide margin. Most don’t even mention Sister James and her view that Father Flynn is completely innocent. Sister Alysius admitted she lied and that her feeling alone is proof enough. That sadly is what most people here agree with, which is why the movie is so excellent. And exposes how everyone (including you it definitely seems) jumps to conclusions based on emotion alone. But the doubt is still there. Which as father Flynn states in his sermon about gossip, once cast, is impossible to retract.
Sin’ead O’ Conner lost her career because she stood up for the children. May she rest in peace and those who tormented her burn in hell…
But seems evil always triumph over good. This is the cold fact of life. Everywhere, evil triumphs, from religion to government, every part of society that ought to be good; lurks evil over and over again.
@@AmosArdent-zx6jjHow? Powerful people. They should have no power at all.
Wow, that's very Christian of you (not).
@AmosArdent-zx6jj That's why people invented religion, far as I'm concerned.
@AmosArdent-zx6jj
"But seems evil always triumph over good." - It's what it does - it performs very spectacular song and dance numbers - tricks with smoke and mirrors. But it knows - soon you will see through the charade - and knows its power to distract and wow you, will be at an end.
Truth is - it requires no force or power. It's what remain when all else wither and dissolve to dust.
It always wins - by default.
It's....a persistent motherfucker :)
I accept it, because evil, despite its compelling aspects, and despite my best attempts - always left me in a state of loss and regret.
Be what may - I'm too tired, too old and too empty - I just want to rest in what is - and I found it good, merciful and of a loving kind.
In due time - what is and what is not - reveals itself.
Keep the faith. Sense the sun rise soon - just beyond them hills - keep walking, it's there - you'll see.
ua-cam.com/video/2246pd9W88M/v-deo.html&ab_channel=BillyIdol-Topic
If the journey was easy - without thrills and chills - it wouldn't be meaningful and gloriously divine. :)
Don't fear evil - it's just desperate to be understood - it needs a friend. It's alone and it's afraid - nothing else.
❤
Jesus saves.
The acting is stunning and the writing is extraordinary. All great films have great scripts.
It's both clever and bold how Sister Aloysius takes control by showing a strong willingness to risk excommunication to pursue her goals.
That anger/panic that rises in him when the rules and power structure aren't working...
Extremely intense scene! Not many movies as intense as 'Doubt'!
Delores Claiborne...when Delores confesses to Vera about her husband abusing their daughter....intense scene!
Just placed an order for the dvd.
This movie was traumatizing to watch
The bleakness of reality
This is where it is clear that Father Flynn was guilty. 0:34
Flynn: You should have spoken to the pastor.
Aloysius: I spoke to a nun.
The pastor would have covered up Flynn's activities. The nun wouldn't.
Or that nun also has it in for this priest? The whole point of this movie is that we don’t know who is actually telling the truth.
But she didn't speak to anyone and Flynn already knows what gossiping busybodies women/nuns are.
@@Donillini I was thinking at first maybe it was just that Sister Aloy didn't like Father Fly, but if he had NOTHING at all(especially anything that could've been revisited or even taken to be predator)buried in his past then he wouldn't have allowed her to basically push him out? I was also thinking that maybe Sister Aloy didn't speak up in the past for a child and that's why she's so protective over Donald Miller?
i thought it was obvious all his actions were to protect the boy. Thats why they made a big deal showing the feathers AKA rumors flying everywhere and impossible to get them back. She wouldnt stop..and she had no evidence. He knew there was no way this would resolve itself and the boy would have a chance at a normal life.
Im surprised to see so many comments totally believing he was a child molester and this scene or that scene proved it bc of a small decision the actor made by nodding yes and saying no, or him getting riled up about her calling another nun. No evidence was shown in the movie .. even remotely.. of his guilt. But we do know nuns like this are the norm not the exception and he knows his methods and new way of approaching religion isnt liked by old school nuns so they probably all have it out for him.
In the end im surprised i havent seen more comments simply explain why he left without a fight. It was to protect the kid bc even if he won, like the feathers.. it wouldnt matter. Especially with how kids are. And his father too in his case
Religious groups, just in general, are very particular about following hierarchy in dealing with conflict. They're very opposed to just going public about anything. Like most professional groups, actually.
They both acted the CRAP out of these roles! I remember when "Doubt" was in theaters. It was groundbreaking.
Guilt always becomes defensive when confronted with the truth. Then it blameshifts. Then it gas lights.
yep.
Witchhunt mindset.
Not always though. If someone accuses you of something you havent done how do you NOT become defensive ? I was accused of stealing at work once. Until they looked at the camera footage and it turned out to be someone else. You best believe I was defensive and angry !!
@@bo2720 Thank you.. I love how this movie is written. Her accusations may or may not be true leaving it up to the viewer. Personally, I think her character is despicable , yet at the same time., she may have a point, then later we find out lied about making a phone call to a nun. Excellent writing, and towering performances by all
@@MVR326You missed the point. He was guilty, and it was her refusal to be silenced by the power structure in the church that made her righteous. Of course he just moved to another school and probably did it again, but not on her watch. No offense but it’s your attitude that lets this stuff perpetuate She had her flaws, we all do, but she had the best interest of those children in mind always
I wish movies like these were more popular than The Avengers for example. Such amazing acting, superb dialogue, and real-life situations. Art helps humanity see itself.
not enough PEW PEW PEW green screen VWOOOM VWOOOOOM VWOOOOOOOSH for most audiences
Absolutely !
Well superhero movies are made for adults and children so they inevitably are more popular, a movie about a pedo priest is gonna have a smaller target demographic
Avengers is really good movies for being from comic books.
The play is called Doubt. It's never clear if he abused or not.
The doubt in the title is NOT about her doubting the priest's nature.....it's about her doubting the church and her faith because of the institutionalized homosexuality and pedophilia
This is not the play this is the film.
It was clear at the end he did... that is why he moved from one church to another. At the end he moved again
The movie is called 'Doubt' for a reason. It's funny to see people take sides when the film does not establish any certainty.
Same thing I was thinking lol. We're never given any kind of certainty in the movie and in the end she even says she doesn't know for sure!!
I thought that. They've either not watched the film (which is excellent) or completely missed the point. We never know if he is guilty or not. Hence-doubt.
@@slapshot0074
He couldn’t be more guilty.
“Whatever I have done, I have confessed it so that makes me interfering with a vulnerable child hunky dory.”
No innocent person ever has to raise their voice, nor threaten an accuser as he does. And calling her back when he finally sees she is not threatened is pretty damning evidence.
He even uses trite phrases like “beyond your understanding” to try to excuse his behavior.
Exactly I was so mad at the end.
@@GizmoBeach yikes what a moronic take
Gosh, they really got their brains DEEPLY into that script. Pure brilliance
There are few actors who can hold serve in a scene with Streep when she's this on point. We lost you too soon PSH
Just thinking the same. They compliment each other so well.
Pretty much as good as acting gets
Powerful acting!!! My two favorite actors ever!! Myrel Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman!! RIP Mr. Hoffman 🙏🏽
It genuinely terrifies me how many people feel so CERTAIN the priest was guilty. Even this video title says it. But the movie is intentionally designed to make you NOT know. To have doubts. There is no solid evidence he's guilty of anything. He might just be gay, and was helping the boy work through his own identity issues. We just don't know.
Considering the sheer scale of paedophile priests it's a certainty.
@@steveyblue1 You can't judge one for the sins of another. You need facts and evidence, pal.
@chewface have you been living under a rock? The entire catholic church GLOBALLY has been complicit in rampant child abuse and moving priests around to avoid the police. They are all nonces.
Exactly. These accusations would be laughed out of a court of law. There simply is no evidence of any misconduct on his part. Hell, the kid never even *accused* him of it, and liked him and was saddened that he had to leave. The film is brilliant in enabling the audience to form its own conclusions. It separates the logical from the morbidly imaginative.
@@steveyblue1that makes literally no logical sense.
Watching this scene again brings up that Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s death was such a tragic loss.
“And cut yah nails” 😂💅
Love that part. She's so sassy.
Nothing beats getting two great actors and sticking them in a scene together...dueting and dueling...over and over...'Doubt' is a classic full of that for the acting connissuer...I put this is up there with Olivier/Hoffman, Brando/Pacino...and It's quite a brilliant film to boot
oof...the content of this scene is overwhelming. This was a good play and an equally good film. This pivotal scene is very powerful. Thanks for sharing
Two of the greatest actors of the time and I had no idea it was them. Absolutely brilliant performance.
The point of the movie "Doubt" is that we don't know if he did it. The video title is misleading
100%
No, it's not. Doubt refers to the internalised doubt and conflict inherent in these relationships and interactions, and yes, to some extent, the doubt over whether he did the crime - but the movie's subtext is pretty clear.
Moving abusive pedofile priests from parish to parish is something that - by the time of this movie's release - had been proven. The Catholic Church was responsible for covering up thousands and thousands of instances of child abuse.
The movie is telling us that he did it.
What? The priest acknowledged his sin and said he confessed and asked for compassion. Are you catholic?
They're always misleading... all over UA-cam. pathetic and desperate for views.
Boo hoo 😢
I’m glad to see they put a box above these videos for victims of Catholic sex abuse to contact about lawsuits. If you are watching this and you’ve experienced abuse at their hands….reach out! Don’t let it stay hidden. Force these ghouls into the light!
Absolutely! Holy Mother Church is in desperate need of a cleansing; it only stands to reason that the Church Militant should be held to the highest moral and ethical standards and that failure should be swiftly punished.
Yet Rabbis commit more SA despite being smaller in # .. 😂
Hopefully they add boxes for other religions that are at least as complicit in this too.
ah they don’t do that anymore
Any male led and male dominated religion, so most of them.
They are ‘invulnerable to true regret.’ The writing here is marvelous. The last line out of sister’s mouth spot light’s his one private vestige wherein he kept his true nature in defiance of his priestly garb. She sliced right through his psyche with that command.
Phillip Seymour Hoffman would've been a perfect penguin for the Batman.
Collin Farrell was pretty great
That's not fair, Philip Seymour Hoffman was the male equivalent of, well, Meryl Streep, any given role he's in, he's the best. Any character in the Batman mythos he would've been perfect in. Including, but not limited to Barbara Gordon/Batgirl.
Ffs leave your wee obsession with superhero films out of it for once 🙄
Paul Giamatti
@@Rkid1999Christopher Nolan’s ‘Batman’ series are the only superhero movies I rate as decent .
I wish, with all of my heart, that Phillip could have been saved. I wish someone had noticed he was struggling and I wish he had been able to get help. He is so sorely missed. 😔
He left because he knew that she’d never stop going after him. That she would ruin his reputation with the her pursuit to be right. His leaving was not an admission of guilt it was for self preservation.
I disagree. At the beginning of the scene he was preparing to write a letter to have her removed. And even though she reported him, the monsignor didn't believe her. He had far more power than she and people liked him a lot more than they liked her. If he were truly wrongly accused, he would have no trouble taking her down.
@@CreaticityIsLifeshe was going to fanatically persecute him by going all the way to looking for parents of an abused boy. This would have killed his career guilty or innocent. She was willing to sacrifice herself to destroy him on nothing more than a hunch. She lied to his face in telling him she spoke to a nun at his last parish. She would have done anything and would have felt righteous indignation in doing so. His hand was forced. He had to concede defeat because he wasn't willing to fight to a pyrrhic victory at best. If he was truly innocent (and the movie never makes it clear that he isn't), then I feel bad for him as he was just another victim of a dishonest, sanctimonious tyrannical old crone. And even if she's right and he really did something, she's still a sadist and a hypocrite.
Awesome movie and first rate acting for sure...
@@opensourceanglers8291ew. No. His anger at being ‘discovered’ by her supposed phone call to a nun instead of a priest? Told the story. He’s a molestor. They shuffled these types around and ruined the lives of thousands. Good for her for standing on what was good instead of what was easy. ‘If she was right’. Then he was a violator and desecrator of children. It would have been very easy for him to call his prior parish and the bishop and have her removed if none of it was true. Interestingly- he didn’t . She could go back all three parishes. What story was he afraid she would find. The people that needed protecting here was not the nun or the priest. It was those kids.
@@opensourceanglers8291 If there were no parents of abused children to find, her goal to seek them wouldn’t be a threat to him. If he knows those parents exist, however…
@ragingzim respectfully, the search for said parents is a threat to his career even if he's innocent. The search itself is an accusation and she was to go all the way with it and it's unlikely that his career would have survived it. He knew this. She was threatening to de facto publicly accuse him and she was willing to train wreck her own career and relationship with the church in her fanatical will to do so. She made that abundantly clear and in no uncertain terms. That very scene is the climax of the story.
The genius of this play is that it's all about the lack of certainty about what actually happened. Did he or didn't he? That's never made clear and that's completely intentional.
The point of the story is to bring attention to the vagaries of a situation like this. It's a brilliant story that truly lives up to it's name.
The only reason he didn’t win the Oscar for this is that he was nominated the same year as Heath Ledger.
1:38 good lord that is some insane acting
Worst part is…it was privately confirmed that Hoffman’s priest isn’t predatory. He is secretly homosexual, as is the young boy who feels immense shame. His compassion was merely being someone he could talk to in private and confer with.
I think you hit on it, at least on how Hoffman and the director decided to interpret and play this script to promote real doubt in the audience. We know he claims is innocent, yet is wracked with guilt over something. He appears to feel guilt about a diffeent mortal sin, yet somehow connected to this boy. Shared internalized homophobia and catholic guilt makes sense.
Self-doubt is literally overcome through solidarity and pride. People don’t realize the effect internalized homophobia can provoke in youth. The shame and isolation at that age can result in significant emotional damage an adult.
@@Rnankn boys that age become homosexual through parental neglect by the same-sex parent, sexual abuse, and improper exposure to sex. Think I'm lying? Forty to seventy percent of the clergy are gay. Perhaps 20-30% of them began serving the church as boys. In 2020, that number is 70% of all ordained priests. Similar systematic abuse and homosexuality exists in the Buddhist priesthood too. Eighty percent of LGBT people report having adverse emotional and sexual experiences in childhood.
So even if your interpretation of the film is correct, it is opposed to reality. It is not true that internalized homophobia leads to emotional damage as an adult. The ****sexual tendency is the adult damage.
So the priest stood against these accusations to keep the boys secret?
And his ?
What do you mean "privately confirmed"?
So the entire point of the play and movie is that you don't know if the priest did anything wrong. Hence the title "Doubt". it's actually a way better play since the actors can feel the audience and adjust their performances to maintain their Doubt about who is right.
I'm certain everyone watching this knows how lucky we are to be able to watch these two masters of their craft. How fortunate we are to be able to witness such sensitivity and their devastatingly absolute control of their instruments.
"Where's your compassion?"
"Nowhere you can get at it."
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Despite what the video title claims, we don't know whether her accusations are true or not, its the whole thesis of the movie.
The movie never presents us any evidence for or against her claims and she is shown to lie and manipulate others into believing her accusations with out any evidence.
Keep that in mind when watching the video as it's not about confronting a guilty man, but about the lengths she will go to enforce her beliefs whether or not they are unfounded.
The priest may or may not have abused a minor, it is entirely up to the viewer to decide if they desire, but it is not the point of the movie.
@@thewafflemaniak5698 You are focused on a woman/nun ‘enforcing her beliefs’ and how that’s wrong of her, when ALL of them are enforcing unfounded beliefs ie in God. But you are more preoccupied with her beliefs as she seeks to investigate and protect a vulnerable boy. Why is that?
I think it was very obvious that her intentions were malignant: she expressed great hatred towards his vision and ideas about a more friendly church, more open to the community. In contrast to her cold fear driven authority. She took that personally and that amongst other things (hating all men because her husband died in the war? being gay herself and in conflict? past trauma? ) made her literally say that she was going to destroy him with gossip and accusations. He had no other way out. Staying would kill his reputation - and that of the boy - who outed to the priest he was gay and the movie implies that the priest is also gay.
The title is wrong. The entire point of the movie(and the play it is based on) is that we don’t know that abuse took place.
These nearly 7 minutes, contained more acting than all the garbage that came out of Hollywood in the last 10 years.
The whole point of the movie is that we don't actually know if he's guilty or not, isn't it?
The whole point of this play/movie is that there's no definitive proof that the priest was an "abuser". Hence the title "Doubt". You need to rewrite your title line.
Always had the theory that he may have been gay and wasn't a sexual abuser
@@oldheadprisonofficer7024 Yes. I agree with you. The nun is constantly looking for clues and never finds them. She has an active imagination.
@@marichristian The film shows you clues in Flynn scenes that focus on him and not the nun.
In the end, she confesses her deep doubts about her accusations. He appears to be a gay priest who has not acted sexually but understands the gay child and is helping him traverse a troubling time in his life and show him platonic love.
No it wasn’t that she doubted her accusations. It was that she doubted her faith. That’s the beauty of this film. It allows you to think and doesn’t completely show you his guilt.
Maybe----maybe this----maybe that---it tells more about our wants/hopes/fears/etc. There is no answer in this tale and that is what the writer wrote.
@@rickandosca8262 yes there is. He later stated he was guilty but the film is supposed to be about the doubt of the sisters faith. So many people fall for the obvious, that because the film is called doubt it’s the question of his guilt. It’s all her faith or lack thereof at the end.
That's just one way to look at it. It was still heavily implied that he abused the blonde boy. He could have also used the excuse of ''helping out the fellow gay'' to groom and molest Donald.
@@jujubegold "He later stated he was guilty", he later stated he was guilty of going after the boy? Really? Unless your J.P.S.----it seems to me it`s about doubt in many ways not only the older nun's doubts.
What demons did he use to portray this role with so much pain? What an incredible actor and in this scene you can see his talent is on par with the indomitable Meryl Streep. So sad he could not outrun whatever tortured him in his personal life. He was a brilliant actor.
Just a masterpiece of a scene.
Doubt is an amazing film. It looks stunning, the actors are unreal.. God rest the soul of Philip Seymour Hoffman
"You can use the phone if you'd like" is one last fu from Streep. Lol.
The movie is called Doubt. We are not supposed to know whether the Priest is a sex abuser or not. The title of this post falls into the same trap that Meryl Streep's character does. and ther by misses the whole point of the movie and the struggles that all of the characters must ultimately deal with.
2 amazing actors
Wow, what a moving, intense, and emotional scene from two amazing actors. Just watching this scene alone makes it seem like a real privilege to watch Meryl Streep and Phillip Seymour Hoffman together on the screen.
Never been confirmed he was an abuser. That’s the whole point of the movie…the audience doesn’t know for sure, and neither does the nun.
Yes, there was a larger point being made about the old conservative way of thinking - certainty about things you don't actually know.
@@ChildrensRightsFirst947 dunno what your dopey shot was intended to mean there. I was questioning the title of the clip.
Wrong. She knows, and those in the audience with eyes to see and life experience know as well. Maybe you should pipe down since you obv have neither.
@@ChildrensRightsFirst947 not really
@@meganbeckman8827 perhaps I have far more experience than you think, but that’s ok.
The title of this video is incorrect. He was never accused of sexual abuse in the movie.
The title is wrong...he's not ever proven to be a sexual assault priest....that's why the movie was called "doubt"
Two of the all time, great actors, philip was one of the most believable actors of a generation, and his range was incredible.I really miss him
Not me over here screaming, "🗣GET HIS ASS, MARYL!"
In the movie it is never proven that he was guilty of S/A.
Just because someone may have a troubled past doesn’t automatically mean they are evil.
This description is not accurate. The play/movie is called Doubt. The subject is doubt. The guilt or not is not written to be clear either way.
He was guilty
When I saw the play on stage, I believed the priest was innocent; in the film, I believed he was guilty.
Fascinating how nearly identical dialogue can produce different reactions.
Click bait title. The entire point of this movie was that she only had suspicions about his actions and moved on them as if they were confirmed. Once her goals were achieved she lived with such doubts.
Outstanding movie. The world we live in rarely gives us the confirmation we seek on our suspicions. We all must learn to live with our doubts and to not convict the world on our suspicions.
Girl he did it
6:40 "Cut your nails"
Man, if that wasn't the smoothest, gentlest, and yet strongest "GTFOH" ever.....
This is a dumb title because the whole point of the film is doubt. We don't know if he's guilty or not.
This title is misleading and oversimplifies the complexity of the movie. Throughout, you see evidence supporting both the priest's innocence and guilt, yet you never find out definitively if he is guilty or not.
I'm not so sure he's guilty.
I agree. I think he probably is gay-not a pedophile- and could be sympathetic to the boy's predicament (gay with a homophobic father). He may know this through confession which is supported by his statement, "you know there are many things I can't say", a reference to the seal of confession, a concept that the nun would have known. That fact may be the foundation of the doubt she expresses in the end of the film. I think it is unclear as to what his interaction with the boy was. But even the possibility of the priest being a pedophile pushes the viewer to assume he is, since his departure definitively protects the boy, and his staying puts the child at risk if there is doubt.
@@nicholasholiday941 An excellent analysis.
@@nicholasholiday941 I would agree with you if it wasn't for two scenes with William London. In one, he's the only one at a table of other boys drinking lemonade, who looks at Father Flynn without a smile or admiration. Then there's the unusual, stern incident Sister A mentions when he grabbed William's wrist, which shows Flynn has another side to him besides the kindness he showed Donald Miller in the hallway. The other scene is Flynn's goodbye sermon where we see Donald's sadness, juxtaposed with William's small smile, which to me confirms Flynn's guilt. Although, to nod to your theory, this movie is good that it could just be the boys' had surface-level, innocent encounters with Father Flynn and your theory is correct. (Also, you make a great point in your last line).
What a great scene. Both incredibly talented actors with a solid script. How I miss Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
OK Spoilers if you care about this movie
I don’t think the person who made this video actually read the book. In the book, he never actually did it. It is just heavily implied, and the whole point of the book is that this lady’s self righteousness got the better of her, and in the end, she experienced, guess what, doubt.
Thank you!!! The only correct comment in this entire comment section! Everyone here missed the entire point of the movie!!’
It's a play and the playwright has never confirmed either way.
What he HAS said, was that he has told the actor playing the Priest in various productions "how" to play the character. And it isn't always the same answer.
There is no "truth" beyond our own interpretation and prejudices
Misleading title. It was never established whether the priest was abusing a child or not - hence the name of the movie: Doubt.
He more or less admits it.
To see these two giants rally back and forth is a wonder to see
My best friend admitted to a instance that happened to him as a boy in the Catholic church. He's a shadow of what he could have become.
0:54 Hah I like how they slam the phone at each other.
The title is wrong, the whole point of the movie was that even the nun accusing the priest in this scene in the end was not sure if he was guilty or not, and so is the audience, that's why it was called "Doubt".
Yes, the catholic church is all about compassion for the sinners, not so much for the victims.
This movie is an institute and its not because of the script but for the two stalwarts of acting. PSH & MS are beyond phenomenal.
Her obedience is to God. She answers to God. Its the concept these abusive religious authoritarians are shocked and horrified by.
Have you actually watched this film? The point of it was that, in that particular case, there was no abuse. Gossip and rumour, and people with agendas were the abusers in that scenario. That was meant to be the lesson.
So she's not 'confronting an abusive priest' there. Please just watch the film yourselves and think for yourselves 👍
This is ridiculous. At that point in church history, no nun would dare take on a priest, any priest--let alone an acting pastor. Nuns would not dare confront a priest in public or private. Nuns lived in their own subservient universe; priests existed in their own superior cosmos. The branches of religious were not separate but equal. Priests were regarded as having an almost mystical gift. No one but a superior would dare call out a Catholic priest.
That’s what makes the dynamic so interesting in this film. She’s no average nun.
Hmmm a Protestant nun sure would have . Some nuns are even rumored to be prophetic and speak about the spiritual revelations they’ve seen. It’s rare but it can happen.
Oh--and the bonnets worn by the nuns in the film were typical of the Sisters of Charity in the early 1900's. But at this point in time, nuns of that order wore wimples and veils. Check out Audrey Hepburn's scrupulous costuming in Fred Zinneman's The Nun Story. That look from the 1940's held sway until the late 1960's.
These are two superb actors and the movie is amazing. RIP PSH.
The whole point of the whole play (and film) is that we don't know the truth. We know the perspective of Sister Aloysius, and we know what Father Flynn says, and can certainly imagine the possibility that he is being unfairly accused. That's what makes this scene so powerful.
One of my favourite movies, brilliantly acted. I've never been a fan of Meryl, but she is superb in this role. Definitely on my rewatch list...
She never spoke to a nun, but a hit dog will holla.
She should've won the Oscar for this roll.
Flynn wasn't a sex abuser, he was gay or at least somewhere in the LGBT spectrum.
It was obvious. They made a point of long, clean nails, his desire to modernise his church and his insistence on love being the most important thing, even if the rules sometimes don't allow it.
He had been helping Donald Miller deal with his sexuality and the abuse he faced because of it.
He was gay for little boys totally inappropriate for him to be talking to a young drunk child alone about LGBT. You’re misinterpreting his nails as a stereotype for gay men. He is a control freak
The abuse he faced was at the hands of this charming and manipulative priest and because of his race. The priest capitalized on this and used his isolation for his own sexual gratification. Yes you are right to assume he was gay because he diddled a young boy, but you have been manipulated by a movie character predator as the script was intended to do was cause doubt
@@jamesrella763 FYI...
I talked about the fingernails thing because it's a stereotype. There's a thing about film where every scene and every shot has a purpose.
The fingernails thing is certainly a stereotype but my view is that it was part of the clues to lead you to the conclusion that he's gay.
I have no love for religion and if I'm honest, I assume every priest is doing something with kids until I get proof to the contrary and that they only move to a new church when they've been caught. Maybe you're using the same bias I have to draw you to an expected conclusion, rather than the unexpected one.
oh he helped him alright. initiated him you could say. 🤣🤣🤣
@@Michelle_Schu-blacka do you assume every teacher is abusing their students? I think you are onto something that maybe he didn’t abuse the kid, but rather was worried about being outed. This movie is designed to create DOUBT of what’s really happening
I think the way the play evolves we are supposed to be inclined to side with the Priest, but the point is that's part of how guilty priests got away with it for so long.
One of her finest performances ! Again ! She is frighteningly good ! This was one of his finest performances as well. Boy, were we lucky to have them !
Who else plays this movie just to skip to this part?
When she asks him straight up about the wine, he shakes his head yes when saying no. On the following question he answers no and also shakes his head no... absolutely brilliant acting from Hoffman.