Being a bit of a live theater fan as well as a film buff,this is another show where the comparison of stage production to film adaptation comes in. Having just seen a local production of this show not too long ago,more recently I sat down and watched this on DVD,out of equal parts comparative curiosity and because of the star power employed in this film.
In the fall of 1964,at a Catholic school in the heart of New York City,the enrollment of the first(?)black student,a boy named Donald Miller,becomes the flash-point of conflict between and among a charismatic priest named Flynn(Philip Seymour Hoffman),an idealistic young nun Sister James(Amy Adams)and the rigid,stern and joyless principal,Sister Aloysius(Meryl Streep,about as seamless as ever).The older principal suspects an improper relationship between the boy and the priest,and the young nun inadvertently fuels the case by admitting to seeing somethings she doesn't quite understand.
The acting is first-rate,which in and of itself is no surprise given the talent caliber here. Even Viola Davis,as the boy's mother,makes the complete most of her one scene role. John Patrick Shanley,the play's author adapting the script for the screen and directing this work should also not be of great revelation for why this film is so strong. What IS most note-worthy may be the fact that,while as a play,this show succeeds in creating plenty of grist for the mill and endless debate(since the show's conclusion doesn't reveal much more than the introduction,in truth),the adaptation of film allows for a much more demonstrative and illustrative effect:the cold winds blowing,the stark,sheer edifices of old city Catholic shrines and churches,the portrayals of the lifestyles of priests(generally seen as being almost festive and camaraderie-filled)and nuns(in this convent,quiet,austere and stitltingly awkward) and the clergy's reactions to the children as they are becoming vaguely aware Vatican II's effect on the faith. All of those images(and perhaps more)are mostly left out of the stage version and thus,keeps this story kind of "boxed" and for it to "breathe" better,it needed the full fleshing-out it gets here.
An intelligent,thought-provoking,even emotionally stirring drama that is worth seeing on both stage and screen,this movie is somewhat of a rarity in that it takes the already valid devices used on stage and expands them,and in this case,it's certainly very welcome. Because while the characters may not feel the need or want for it,this film could always use plenty of room for doubt.
In the fall of 1964,at a Catholic school in the heart of New York City,the enrollment of the first(?)black student,a boy named Donald Miller,becomes the flash-point of conflict between and among a charismatic priest named Flynn(Philip Seymour Hoffman),an idealistic young nun Sister James(Amy Adams)and the rigid,stern and joyless principal,Sister Aloysius(Meryl Streep,about as seamless as ever).The older principal suspects an improper relationship between the boy and the priest,and the young nun inadvertently fuels the case by admitting to seeing somethings she doesn't quite understand.
The acting is first-rate,which in and of itself is no surprise given the talent caliber here. Even Viola Davis,as the boy's mother,makes the complete most of her one scene role. John Patrick Shanley,the play's author adapting the script for the screen and directing this work should also not be of great revelation for why this film is so strong. What IS most note-worthy may be the fact that,while as a play,this show succeeds in creating plenty of grist for the mill and endless debate(since the show's conclusion doesn't reveal much more than the introduction,in truth),the adaptation of film allows for a much more demonstrative and illustrative effect:the cold winds blowing,the stark,sheer edifices of old city Catholic shrines and churches,the portrayals of the lifestyles of priests(generally seen as being almost festive and camaraderie-filled)and nuns(in this convent,quiet,austere and stitltingly awkward) and the clergy's reactions to the children as they are becoming vaguely aware Vatican II's effect on the faith. All of those images(and perhaps more)are mostly left out of the stage version and thus,keeps this story kind of "boxed" and for it to "breathe" better,it needed the full fleshing-out it gets here.
An intelligent,thought-provoking,even emotionally stirring drama that is worth seeing on both stage and screen,this movie is somewhat of a rarity in that it takes the already valid devices used on stage and expands them,and in this case,it's certainly very welcome. Because while the characters may not feel the need or want for it,this film could always use plenty of room for doubt.