DOUBT - Week 2

There is no evidence. There are no witnesses. But for one, there is no doubt.

Set in 1964, Doubt centers on a nun who confronts a priest after suspecting him of abusing a black student. He denies the charges, and much of the play's quick-fire dialogue tackles themes of religion, morality, and authority. www.imdb.com

An enthralling movie with superb acting, and here are some of my favorite quotes.
Please add your own favorite ones in the space provided below (Comments).

Sister James: Did you ever prove it?
Sister Aloysius Beauvier: To whom?
Sister James: Anyone but yourself?

Father Brendan Flynn: Even if you feel certainty, it is an emotion not a fact.

Mrs. Miller: You can't hold a child responsible for what God gave him to be.

Towards the end of the film, Father Flynn delivers a heartfelt sermon, referring to the "unfounded suspicion" thrown in the wind by the two nuns.

Here is the transcript.

'A woman was gossiping with her friend about a man whom they hardly knew - I know none of you have ever done this. That night, she had a dream: a great hand appeared over her and pointed down on her. She was immediately seized with an overwhelming sense of guilt. The next day she went to confession. She got the old parish priest, Father O' Rourke, and she told him the whole thing. 'Is gossiping a sin?' she asked the old man. 'Was that God All Mighty's hand pointing down at me? Should I ask for your absolution? Father, have I done something wrong?' 'Yes,' Father O' Rourke answered her. 'Yes, you ignorant, badly-brought-up female. You have blamed false witness on your neighbor. You played fast and loose with his reputation, and you should be heartily ashamed.' So, the woman said she was sorry, and asked for forgiveness. 'Not so fast,' says O' Rourke. 'I want you to go home, take a pillow upon your roof, cut it open with a knife, and return here to me.' So, the woman went home: took a pillow off her bed, a knife from the drawer, went up the fire escape to her roof, and stabbed the pillow. Then she went back to the old parish priest as instructed. 'Did you cut the pillow with a knife?' he says. 'Yes, Father.' 'And what were the results?' 'Feathers,' she said. 'Feathers?' he repeated. 'Feathers; everywhere, Father.' 'Now I want you to go back and gather up every last feather that flew out onto the wind,' 'Well,' she said, 'it can't be done. I don't know where they went. The wind took them all over.' 'And that,' said Father O' Rourke, 'is gossip!'

FORUM:
Answer our forum on the left.

DOUBT (2008)

WEEK 1
Written & Directed by John Patrick Shanley
Starring Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams.

What do you know about John Patrick Shanley's cinematography?
Find some information at
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0788234/awards

View the trailer


What is the central theme in DOUBT?
Write a few words about it in the space provided below or send the group an e-mail.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona - Week 1

WHAT IS WOODY ALLAN'S HALLMARK?
(Use the space provided below to express your opinion - 20 to 30 words)

In the coming week, we'll be comparing Woody Allen's Match Point (2005) with Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) as to script, characters, direction, cinematography, etc.


Sexually adventurous Cristina (Scarlett Johansson)and her friend Vicky (Rebecca Hall), who is bright but cautious, holiday in Barcelona where they meet the celebrated and wholly seductive painter, Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem). Vicky is not about to dive into a sexual adventure being committed to her forthcoming marriage. But Cristina is immediately captivated by Juan Antonio's free spirit and his romantic allure is enhanced when she hears the delicious details of his divorce from fellow artist, the tempestuous Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz). Written by johnno.r[at]xtra.co.nz www.imdb.com