I usually really don't enjoy true story films. I mean, sure they're portraying something incredible that people need to see, but I feel like most aren't done too well. But when you get an amazing director and an even more amazing collective group of actors together you get something like Spotlight, something that really opens your eyes and defines the true-story genre.
A good movie, well edited, shot, REALLY well acted and very sobre and absolutely aware of the subject matter it handles and does it with grace, dignity but is still VERY powerful.
"They knew and they let it happen! It could've been you, it could've been me, it could've been any of us."
After watching "Concussion", I wondered how former NFL players would react to this film. After seeing "Spotlight", I asked myself whether the clergy had the courage to see this film or not. And also if lessons were drawn from this. Would the Church restore his original role in society? A haven for believers. Its function as middleman between the divine and the Christians. An institution created as a service for the needy, poor and pious. Or would abuses such as addressed in "Spotlight" simply continue to exist? Because lets admit it. The credits at the end of the film are more horrible than the actual film. It shows that the cited case is only a tip of the iceberg.
What's more frightening? Being pursued by a deranged maniac who's wearing a hockey mask and carries a chainsaw? Or being abused by a perverted priest who can't restrain his lust because of a self-imposed celibacy? Perhaps the first is extremely deadly. But the second one causes such a trauma, the victim wishes to encounter such a nut with a chainsaw to release him from his suffering. The things I thoroughly hate are abuse of power, inviolability, breach of trust and covering up criminal offenses by powerful authorities. And that's something common within the church. A little bit too much fooling around with little choirboys? No problem. We'll put you in another parish where you can play shepherd again and watch over some tame sheep. Disgusting.
"Spotlight" reminded me of "All the President's Men" with a young Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford playing Carl Bernstein's and Bob Woodward, two Washington Post journalists who published articles about the Watergate scandal. Also a cover-up. But this one happened on a political level. The only result there was the resignation of president Nixon. The ecclesiastical cover-up made lots of victims. "Spotlight" is a dead serious film with a dead serious, nauseating topic. It's admirable that they didn't let it degenerate into an accusatory film that would unleash a veritable witch-hunt. Needless to say, the main roles are played impressively by Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams and Liev Schreiber. And for once, I was hoping that Ruffalo would briefly change into that green, muscular monster so he would crush a few clerics to the size of a of a host.
Slovenia isn't a big country so it's pretty noticable when a priest is moved to the other part of the country. But it's the same as everywehere else in the world - nobody does nothing.
It was difficult for me to pinpoint why, exactly, I found this film unsatisfying. I think it ultimately came down to the fact that this film was almost entirely plot. There isn't much characterization, what there is is rather cliched and hollywoodish. I did find the story compelling and necessary, and the larger themes of a community being complicit in evil were well explored. I think what it really came down to was that there was no need to turn this into a drama: this should have been a documentary. The actors and script really didn't add anything to the plot, in my opinion.
michael keatron shines in this far fetched fable as a Boston-raised reporter who helps cover up a priest molestation operation run by the Pope himself.
Still don't get the necessity to make this movie. For the story there is brilliant documentary, and in this film there is no art or ideat tha justfies its creation. THe most compelling was plot (not script) and makers don't have any part in it.
Add your comment
Comments 1 - 15 of 30
Panunzio
A very solid journalistic drama. No frills needed. A great story told well.Earring72
Gripping true story makes a fantastic well acted movie. A must see!!!!Jashezilla
I usually really don't enjoy true story films. I mean, sure they're portraying something incredible that people need to see, but I feel like most aren't done too well. But when you get an amazing director and an even more amazing collective group of actors together you get something like Spotlight, something that really opens your eyes and defines the true-story genre.aniforprez
A good movie, well edited, shot, REALLY well acted and very sobre and absolutely aware of the subject matter it handles and does it with grace, dignity but is still VERY powerful.9/10
scc1972
A really good movie about a topic that many people don't feel comfortable talking about.ikkegoemikke
"They knew and they let it happen! It could've been you, it could've been me, it could've been any of us."After watching "Concussion", I wondered how former NFL players would react to this film. After seeing "Spotlight", I asked myself whether the clergy had the courage to see this film or not. And also if lessons were drawn from this. Would the Church restore his original role in society? A haven for believers. Its function as middleman between the divine and the Christians. An institution created as a service for the needy, poor and pious. Or would abuses such as addressed in "Spotlight" simply continue to exist? Because lets admit it. The credits at the end of the film are more horrible than the actual film. It shows that the cited case is only a tip of the iceberg.
What's more frightening? Being pursued by a deranged maniac who's wearing a hockey mask and carries a chainsaw? Or being abused by a perverted priest who can't restrain his lust because of a self-imposed celibacy? Perhaps the first is extremely deadly. But the second one causes such a trauma, the victim wishes to encounter such a nut with a chainsaw to release him from his suffering. The things I thoroughly hate are abuse of power, inviolability, breach of trust and covering up criminal offenses by powerful authorities. And that's something common within the church. A little bit too much fooling around with little choirboys? No problem. We'll put you in another parish where you can play shepherd again and watch over some tame sheep. Disgusting.
"Spotlight" reminded me of "All the President's Men" with a young Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford playing Carl Bernstein's and Bob Woodward, two Washington Post journalists who published articles about the Watergate scandal. Also a cover-up. But this one happened on a political level. The only result there was the resignation of president Nixon. The ecclesiastical cover-up made lots of victims. "Spotlight" is a dead serious film with a dead serious, nauseating topic. It's admirable that they didn't let it degenerate into an accusatory film that would unleash a veritable witch-hunt. Needless to say, the main roles are played impressively by Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams and Liev Schreiber. And for once, I was hoping that Ruffalo would briefly change into that green, muscular monster so he would crush a few clerics to the size of a of a host.
More reviews here : http://bit.ly/1KIdQMT
demagogo
Brought to you by the American mafia.AlonMiz
Great! Despite its harsh topic, it gets you into the story quickly.Camille Deadpan
Slovenia isn't a big country so it's pretty noticable when a priest is moved to the other part of the country. But it's the same as everywehere else in the world - nobody does nothing.Paravail
It was difficult for me to pinpoint why, exactly, I found this film unsatisfying. I think it ultimately came down to the fact that this film was almost entirely plot. There isn't much characterization, what there is is rather cliched and hollywoodish. I did find the story compelling and necessary, and the larger themes of a community being complicit in evil were well explored. I think what it really came down to was that there was no need to turn this into a drama: this should have been a documentary. The actors and script really didn't add anything to the plot, in my opinion.japhyryder
michael keatron shines in this far fetched fable as a Boston-raised reporter who helps cover up a priest molestation operation run by the Pope himself.moviefan28
Shouldn't have just won best picture average filmLiyirna
Still don't get the necessity to make this movie. For the story there is brilliant documentary, and in this film there is no art or ideat tha justfies its creation. THe most compelling was plot (not script) and makers don't have any part in it.Jontaquestion
Great ensemble cast, cleverly written and really nicely build up. Might be a bit too long in some parts, but it all pays off.spongemoon
A fantastic piece of work. One of - if not the - best film I've seen in (at least) the past yearShowing items 1 – 15 of 30