BBBB
(out of 5)
Tradition clashes with modern thinking at a Catholic school run by nuns in 1960s New York City. Priest Philip Seymour Hoffman gives sermons that capture and stir the emotions of his parishioners with their tolerance for scepticism and fluidity in Catholic belief, raising a flag in the mind of the hard-edged, fundamental school principal Meryl Streep. When sweet, possibly naïve teacher Amy Adams sees something odd between Hoffman and the one black student at the newly integrated school, she reports it to Streep and gives the headmistress the first means of attack with which to face her opponent head-on. From there progresses a masterfully written, incredibly performed drama about conviction and perspective as these characters try to sort out the difficulty of existing in an imperfect world with no certainty. Adapted by John Patrick Shanley (who also directs) from his own Pulitzer Prize-winning play, the film is quite obviously interpreted from the theatre (it’s told mostly in long two-hander scenes) yet doesn’t suffer from staginess. Shanley uses the claustrophobic settings to his advantage and relies on his incredible writing, which is made richer by effective uses of humour, and a perfect cast of actors: Streep is so electrifying that her every word will leave you hanging for more, while Adams, Hoffman and especially Viola Davis (who is unforgettable as the student’s mother in just one sequence) contribute immense strength to the proceedings. It feels at times like you’re watching a filmed play, but damn it all to hell, what a play!
Goodspeed Productions, Scott Rudin Productions
USA, 2008
Directed by John Patrick Shanley
Screenplay by John Patrick Shanley, based on his play
Cinematography by Roger Deakins
Produced by Mark Roybal, Scott Rudin
Music by Howard Shore
Production Design by David Gropman
Costume Design by Ann Roth
Film Editing by Dylan Tichenor
Cast Tags: Aaron O’Neill, Abigail L. Dyer, Alannah Iacovano, Alice Drummond, Amy Adams, Anna Lonczak, Ariana Silvestro, Audrie Neenan, Brandy Panfili, Bridget Megan Clark, Carrie Preston, Christina Angelina Celone, Coby D. Moran, Emily Swimmer, Frank Dolce, Frank Shanley, Gabriella Renne DiMaria, Haklar Dezso, Helen Stenborg, Jack O’Connell, John Costelloe, Joseph Foster, Katelyn Snell, Katie Shelnitz, Lloyd Clay Brown, Lydia Jordan, Margery Beddow, Marylouise Burke, Matthew Marvin, Melissa Viezel, Meryl Streep, Michael Puzzo, Michele Ciago, Mike Roukis, Molly Chiffer, Paulie Litt, Philip Post, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robert Ridgell, Sabrina Costa, Samantha Buczek, Samantha Chadbourne, Sarah Giovanniello, Shayne Fischman, Susan Blommaert, Suzanne Hevner, Thomas A. Varrone, Thomas J. Kennedy, Thomas J. Meehan, Tom Toner, Valda Setterfield, Viola Davis
Academy Award Nominations
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Philip Seymour Hoffman as “Father Brendan Flynn”)
Best Actress in a Leading Role (Meryl Streep as “Sister Aloycius Beauvier”)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Amy Adams as “Sister James”)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Viola Davis as “Mrs. Miller”)
Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay) (John Patrick Shanley)
Golden Globe Award Nominations
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture-Drama (Meryl Streep)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (Amy Adams)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (Viola Davis)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (Philip Seymour Hoffman)
Best Screenplay (John Patrick Shanley)
New York Film Critics Award Nomination
Best Supporting Actress (Viola Davis)
Los Angeles Film Critics Award Nomination
Best Supporting Actress (Viola Davis)
National Society of Film Critics Award Nomination
Best Supporting Actress (Viola Davis)
National Board Of Review Awards
Best Breakthrough Performance by an Actress (Viola Davis)
Best Acting by an Ensemble (Viola Davis, Amy Adams, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep)
Screen Actors Guild Award
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role (Meryl Streep)
Nominations
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role (Amy Adams
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role (Viola Davis)
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role (Philip Seymour Hoffman)
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Writers Guild Award Nomination
Best Adapted Screenplay
British Academy Award Nominations
Best Leading Actress (Meryl Streep)
Best Supporting Actor (Philip Seymour Hoffman)
Best Supporting Actress (Amy Adams)
Toronto Film Critics Award Nominations
Best Performance, Female (Meryl Streep)
Best Supporting Performance, Female (Viola Davis)
Best Supporting Performance, Male (Philip Seymour Hoffman)
Best Screenplay
Boston Film Critics Award Nomination
Best Supporting Actress (Viola Davis)
Chicago Film Critics Award Nominations
Best Actress (Meryl Streep)
Best Supporting Actor (Philip Seymour Hoffman)
Best Supporting Actress (Viola Davis)
Best Supporting Actress (Amy Adams)
Best Screenplay, Adapted
