Doubt Movie Teaser Poster — Page 3

Definitely not iffy about Hoffman at all. That man is a chameleon.

I don't think Streep's qualifications to play the role would ever be in question. Nor is a comparison between Cherry Jones and Meryl Streep's interpretations quite fair. Film, by virtue of close-ups and editing, can do things that theatre can't, and by comparison, the electricity of live theatre when it is at its best, is a sensation I do not usually experience even at the finest movies.

If I had to compare the performances, I'd say this: for me, Cherry's Aloysius seemed absolutely resolute in her conviction until the play's final scene. Streep seems to allow some consternation and vulnerability creep in starting with her scene with Viola Davis. Both Aloysius performances are equally forceful, terrifying and imposing - and funny.

As for other questions about Shanley's work as director, I don't think it is my place to "grade" his efforts (I leave that nonsense to pop culture magazines), but it is simple, unfussy, generally clean and direct, without calling attention to itself. Since Shanley grew up in the Bronx at the time Doubt is set, he also knows the neighborhood and the look of the film feels right in its production design and attention to detail.

Regarding the other characters that were in an early screenplay, apart from a few shots of William London (the one who "would set his foot on fire" for a day out of school) and a boy who is sent to see Aloysius after talking out in class, there is no material in the cut I saw examining the "mental growth" of the other boys.

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Smaxie, I want to ask you some questions again.

According to your reply, apparently almost all of the random scenes of a family with a young boy in the eary version of the screenplay have been cut. So does the movie also ends with Sister Aloysius crying "I have doubts, I have such doubts" just as the play did? In the eary version of the screenply, Shanley adds an extra scene at the end.

Comparing it with the other recent film adaptation of great Broadway plays(like Proof, the History boys,etc..), do you think Doubt is a much better transfer on screen? Because both Proof and the History Boys are not very successful on the screen, which makes me very disappointed. So do you think Doubt is a great movie according to the standard of films?(not too stagy)

Still about the acting. Do you think this will be another example of the most outstanding ensemble acting? the previous examples I can think of are the film versions of the streetcar of desire, and Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf. Do you think the overall acting quality of Doubt is on the par with these two?

I can imagine Meryl's acting in Doubt is completely different from her acting in Mamma Mia. She turns into another character. Do you think Sister Aloysius is one of Meryl's greatest performances?


Thanks. Waiting for your reply.

Thanks, Smaxie. I am just hoping that Streep can win the oscar again with a truly spectacular performance (just like Sophie's choice, which sets a high standard for herself),rather than get rewarded due to the compensatory or emotional factor just as Katharine Hepburn did with On Golden Pond.

I think her Doubt performance is likely to be the most-buzzed-about performance of the year and sweep the acting awards, just like Daniel Day Lewis did with his performance in There will be blood last year. Let's wait and see.

yeah, I have the crystal ball in my hand now, haha, which tells me that this should be Streep's year. With her international success of mamma mia and a truly legendary performance in Doubt, she will be the attention-grabbing figure at the end of the year. Do you believe me?

My guess is the people who have doubts -- no pun intended -- about Hoffman, just haven't seen enough of his work:


He played arrogant, strong-willed characters in "Almost Famous," "The Talented Mr. Ripley," "Patch Adams," "Red Dragon" and "Charlie Wilson's War."

Outright villainous, malevolent ones in "Mission: Impossible III" and "Punch-Drunk Love."

Pathetic sad-sacks in "Love Liza," "Boogie Nights," "Owning Mahowny," and "Happiness"

Alternately self-confident and insecure ones in "The Savages" and "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead"

Strong-personality-equipped, effeminate homosexuals in "Capote" and "Flawless"

Weak-willed, subservient, yet seemingly-put-together types in "The Big Lebowski," "25th Hour" and "State and Main"

And, perhaps most importantly (for "Doubt"), the sympathetic, likeable, helpful heart-and-soul of the movie in "Magnolia."


Given his excellence in all of these character types, I think the man's shown he's versatile enough to take on this role. He's hardly the sort of actor you can only see in one light. Personally, I think he's going to be great.

Dear Smaxie, some questions for you. Please bear with me again.



I just know from IMDB that the music for the film version of Doubt is composed by the great Philip Glass. So what do you think of the Glass's music in the film?


Another person who claimed to have attended the advanced screening told me that the highlight of the whole film is Streep's performance. It is downright PERFECT and more nuanced and complicated than Cherry Jones's stage portrayal. This is one of the greatest screen performaces in this decade. Do you think he is exaggerating a little bit?