Directed by:
Tom McCarthyCinematography:
Masanobu TakayanagiComposer:
Howard ShoreCast:
Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery, Brian d'Arcy James, Stanley Tucci, Doug Murray, Sharon McFarlane, Jamey Sheridan (more)VOD (1)
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Starring Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams and Michael Keaton, Spotlight tells the gripping true story of a team of Boston Globe reporters who launch a fearless investigation into child abuse allegations against the Catholic Church. What they eventually uncover is a shocking citywide scandal; almost ninety priests guilty but never convicted, legal settlements done in private, and a systematic cover-up of the abuse by church leadership. Determined to leave no stone unturned in their hunt for the truth, their investigation soon threatens to bring down some of the city's most powerful figures. Capturing the high-pressure world of in-depth reportage, Spotlight is a smart, thrilling depiction of journalism at its best. (Entertainment One)
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Reviews (13)
Spotlight is exactly the movie I expected it to be. The well-written script doesn’t let the viewer get lost despite the abundance of names and characters, and it achieves escalation by precisely dispensing information. The actors perform with gusto as though this was the most important theatre play of their career. It’s thus all the more regrettable that their characters play only the roles of peculiar investigative journalists, but none of them has a more direct connection to the investigated subject. But that would make the movie into a contrived thriller, and that’s not what Spotlight is about. Rather, it stays true to the real events and is thus an honest and courageous tribute to real journalist heroes, and most importantly, it addresses a very serious matter. That it does not change anything politically and barely anyone will remember it after a few years is a different story.
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The best film of 2015 according to the Oscars, and yet I’m only seeing it now. I might have given that title to The Revenant instead, as it was a remarkable film in every aspect, but I understand why many critics praised Spotlight. The topic it addresses is indeed very important and should be discussed and made known to the public. I was surprised by how the film is approached almost like a documentary in many ways, as it really unfolds like a dramatic stage play. I thoroughly enjoyed the performances, with each actor significantly contributing to the brilliant final result (especially Michael Keaton). The film doesn’t offer intense moments or action scenes, but believe me, the raw dialogues of people describing their horrific experiences will send chills down your spine. Personally, I was never bored during its 109 minutes and the film provided one finely crafted dialogue after another. While I’m not giving it a perfect score, it certainly deserves a place among high-quality cinematic achievements. Undoubtedly. I give it 84%.
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Cheap, economical and yet A-grade filmmaking, which is what Hollywood is all about. Spotlight isn't about emotions, it's about facts, hence the Oscars. A great thing and the biggest drawback for the viewer, as this two-hour procedural is a bit monotonous, tiresome and impersonal in places. On the other hand, the issues it covers and the testimonials it leaves are unprecedented, almost demonic, and a clear indication that the church is first class crap.
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It is not without reason that is cinema called the factory of dreams. We expect from it a spectacle, action, excitement, tension, and a trip to a place where an ordinary mortal will never, or even want to, reach. Spotlight goes against all these trends and offers unexpectedly civil acting, investigation devoid of all the usual thriller clichés, and shows journalism as it probably actually takes place. i.e., as a tedious gathering of facts, persuading for interviews, and simply routine work. Essentially any profession that you strip of its cinematic glamour suddenly looks terribly ordinary. Detectives don't run around on rooftops and neutralize villains, and spies don't eliminate enemies by the dozen. Spotlight represents that significantly smaller face of American cinema, which studios usually send to film festivals. And in the case of Spotlight, those festival laurels are well-deserved. I do wonder how the audience's support would turn out if it were not such a scandalous case, but oh well. These journalists don't stand against the machinery of a powerful corporation or a corrupt politician who sends deadly squads against them, but even so, strong emotions are felt. Spotlight offers a display of great acting talents, but this time the stars subdued their egos and didn't showcase themselves, but rather their characters. For me, I give it a thumbs up but I don't feel like giving it a fifth star because, although it may sound sacrilegious, Spotlight strips off the cinematic glamour so much that in some parts, its depiction of reality becomes boring. Overall impression: 80%.
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I don’t know what else to ask for. A masterfully written and brilliantly directed topical story that does not deviate for a moment from its established narrative pace and presents its shocking content to the uninitiated consumer in such an authentic and gripping way that they immediately want to take up investigative journalism by day and shoot horny priests in their private chambers by night. Plus the great protagonists, whose character is (rightly) sketched out only peripherally as part of the investigation process, but whose performances I could have easily endured two hours longer, all the way to the lecherous gates of the seemingly untouchable Vatican... 90%
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