I Saw the Movie Doubt Tonight and You Didn't

[beltingfordummies]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 12:47am

I was waltzing down Broadway the other day when one of those annoying people who stand in front of movie theaters and offer free tickets said the 3 magic words...Meryl Streep...Doubt. So of course I signed up.

Lets just get this out of the way now..Meryl is stunning. You literally can't take your eyes off of her. She doesn't have an Irish accent instead she has a Bronx accent. And of course its spot on. Philip Seymour Hoffman was fine. But Meryl Acts circles around him. Amy Addams was fantastic. The story remains intact, and all in all it was fabulous(although the A/C was busted so it was hot as hell, but the movie was so good I hardly noticed) I can't wait to see the final cut.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 2:58am

I. AM. SO. JEALOUS.

And this news is WONDERFUL.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 8:54am

I'm not even a little bit jealous. Glad you enjoyed it.

Didn't like the play enough to feel like the movie was worth taking any interest in at all. And with Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman, it really looks like a snoozer. I'll wait for cable.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 8:58am

how was the added footage with the little kid? do you feel it was biased towards Phillip or Meryl's side of the story? i'm just curious. i loved the play a LOT

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 9:08am

Wow, I didn't realize it had already reached the point of test screenings... Glad you liked it! Anybody know when this is supposed to open?

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 9:16am

Imdb says December 5th is the release date.

Posted: 4/11/08 at 9:24am

Hi,beltingfordummies. You are damn lucky to have seen the film version of this great play so early. Is this the first ever screening of this film? It will be officially released in the cinema probably in December (the Oscar season).

How does the playwright and director John Patrick Shanley deal with this film version? It is not easy to successfully transfer a great play to another medium. So were they trying to movie-ize it (visually "open it up, etc.) or stick to the pure theatrical scheme of everything happening in limited space? What is the overall quality of the film? Is it great?

As for the acting in the film, there has already been a lot of big buzz about meryl winning her third oscar with this role. Do you think it is possible after seeing her performance in the film? Cherry Jones is so unbelievably great on the stage.(Have you seen the Broadway stage version?) Is meryl's performance on the par with Cherry's or even better?

And What about Viola Daves's one-scene performance? Many people predit she will steal the show with this unexpectedly shocking scene.

Hope you can answer my questions in details. thanks you very much.

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 10:41am

Oh wow, we're definitely going to need more details!

As of right now, this is probably my most anticipated movie of 2008. Two of my favorite actors going head-to-head in one of my favorite plays... I'm there!

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 11:07am

I may just wait for the DVD. I just have a hard time seeing Hoffman in the role. Hoffman is a good actor but he just isn't my choice for the part. I read somewhere that Ms. Streep chose him.

[dramaboy27]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 11:14am

Dear Roscoe....art is always a matter of opinion, but Doubt is a fantastic play and of all actors (Meryl Streep and Philip Seymore Holfman) to say it looks like a snoozer is beyond me.....THEY ARE AMAZING...im my opinion!!lol

[Roscoe]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 11:16am

Great, dramaboy. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

I didn't think it was a fantastic play. I don't see it making a fantastic movie. C'est la vie.

[CouldaWouldaShoulda]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 11:16am

Meryl and Philip are excellent actors. Philip is one of the best actors of my generation and Meryl is my favorite actress of all time. Meryl is perfectly cast, but Philip is not.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 11:33am

Yeah, casting Hoffman in that role kind of removes the whole DOUBT business, doesn't it? Would you have any DOUBT that he was a child molester?

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 12:30pm

I didn't even know this movie existed.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 12:30pm

You guys got a spot on www.awardsdaily.com

Sasha Stone is a goddess and I'd follow what she says.

Updated On: 4/11/08 at 12:30 PM

[Brick]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 12:36pm

Roscoe,I had the same thought the second I heard the casting.

[tazber]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 12:37pm

I'll see it for La Streep, but the play is incredibly overrated.

[D2]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 12:43pm

^^^^^

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 12:52pm

I hate to admit it, but I thought the same thing Roscoe and Brick. In this case, looks do play a big part in the role for me.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 1:00pm

It isn't so much a matter of looks, as that aura of Sleazebag that Hoffman brings to every role. Can he play anything other than a total douche?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 1:06pm

[CouldaWouldaShoulda]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 1:17pm

Exactly. He takes away the entire idea of doubt, which is the whole point of the piece.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 1:38pm

I think Hoffman is fantastic but add me to the whole "change the play's title to CERTAINTY" group.
I just don't think this is the kind of role that could earn Meryl a third Oscar. She might get a nod though, especially if she gives the kind of comic tour de force that she is expected to give in MAMMA MIA. It'll help.
I can't wait for this film. The play may not be the most brilliant ever written, but I do think it's a great play and has some really wonderful characters.
I wonder if Amy Adams and Viola Davis will be able to both snatch an Oscar nod.

[beltingfordummies]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 1:43pm

I would have thought the same thing about Hoffman (He looks like a creep), but I assure you all, this movie is full of DOUBT. One of the 4 people I went with thought they weighed the scales a little heavy toward Hoffman's character being guilty. However the rest of us and the ladies sitting next to me agreed that the DOUBT is still there. I think its a perfect balance and as much as I would have rather seen another actor in that role, Hoffman does a nice job of never being creepy and allowing the audience to think. Of course thinking is never what movie audiences like to do, or something they are very good at so best of luck Miramax. I am sure this will be all the buzz in the awards season. And I would always give Meryl an Oscar (even for movies she wasn't in) John Patrick Shanely (SP) did a smooth transition to the screen. I bet you anything when I go to see the final product a lot of the "added material" is cut. Leaving behind just some truly amazing performances. Oh and the scene with the boys mother and Meryl was amazing, not a highlight, but amazing none the less. Hope I was able to answer you questions loves!

[MungoGypsy8232]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 3:06pm

Is this going to generate Oscar buzz (besides the obvious since Meryl Streep is involved)?