This 104 minute adaptation of the hit Broadway play is directed by John Patrick Shanley and stars Meryl Streep as Sister Beauvier and Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Father Flynn. The film is essentially an old-school vs new-school drama that deals as well with the question of whether Father Flynn was having an innappropriate relationship with one of his alter boys, as suspected by Sister Beauvier.
Though the acting of Streep and Hoffman and the dialogue between the two are superb, the film seemed to drag here and there and portrayed scenes with seemingly no import whatsoever! The stark black and white of the film gave it a moire feel, as did the detective-like snooping of Sister Beauvier in her attempts to root out evidence that would confirm her suspicions. Sister James, a much younger and academically inclined nun, played by Amy Adams, seemed far too young for the part but just right as a personality easily manipulated by the overbearing and dogmatic Sister Beauvier.
Perhaps the most dramatic moment of the film occurs during the confrontation between the mother of the alter boy, played brilliantly by Viola Davis, and Sister Beauvier. Davis steals the scene and stuns the probing nun with her emotional, yet pragmatic view of the alleged innapropriate relationship of her son with the priest.
All in all, the film was worth watching for the acting of Streep, Hoffman and Davis. It moved far too slow for me and its unresolved ending seemed like a cop-out. The question of did-he-or-didn't-he remains unanswered. I personally feel the quesrion is answered earlier in the film. Listen closely to the words of the priest. Think sacrifice.
Posted by Chuck
