Doubt was amazing.

About thirty seconds into the preview for Doubt, Justin and I looked at each other with big eyes and nodded -- yep, we're definitely seeing this one.  Besides being big Philip Seymour Hoffman fans, the film deals with themes we care about -- certainty vs. doubt, church power and religious tradition vs. change and inclusivity.  That, and the stark, moody shots looked rather stunning.

Like many movies these days, we didn't get around to seeing it until it came out on DVD (go Netflix!), but now I understand why each of the four principal characters received Oscar nods.  They deserved them.  

PSH and Meryl Streep, especially.  The movie steadily builds on their barely-restrained frustrations and suspicions and dislike, which makes for an intense hour and a half (not a moment of which was wasted, good point Brandon) -- but it also builds on their very human complexities.  Neither person is completely victim or villain.  Anyone is capable of taking an unexpected course.  When Father Flynn and Sister Aloysius finally battle it out -- as we know they will from early on -- their flood of words and emotions don't seem overdone; their very believable, well-rounded portrayals up to this point have prepared us for this overwhelming clash of wills.

Meryl Streep's accent blows my mind.

Props to Amy Adams (the purse girl) for taking on such a difficult role.  It's a far cry from Gisele in Enchanted (which I love unashamedly), but she nailed it, giving Sister James a perfect blend of naivete and fierce idealism.  And Viola Davis... it says something when you get an Oscar nom for a total of about ten minutes on-screen.  That scene smashed me flat (and made me feel pretty smart, as I'd figured out what Mom reveals much earlier than my male co-movie-watchers).

If you're looking for a film that leaves you knowing exactly what to think or feel, this probably isn't the movie for you.  It's wonderfully ambiguous.  (I heard of another person who came to a completely different conclusion than I did at the end regarding Father Flynn's guilt or innocence -- I like that this is possible in a film).  But if you like those movies that hum for a while after the closing credits, that leave you thinking for a few days afterward -- give it a watch.  Then let me know what you think.