tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6398774400897497162.post3539536780896226143..comments2009-02-05T14:25:52.952-05:00Dorothy Porkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11787876102077401603noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6398774400897497162.post-10456372108333344042009-02-05T14:25:00.000-05:002009-02-05T14:25:00.000-05:00Great review DP! I think she's gonna win.vlcnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6398774400897497162.post-58917067214869683412009-02-05T14:08:00.000-05:002009-02-05T14:08:00.000-05:00Also, never be afraid of being cheesy! Ok, I say that as a guy who's guilty of being cheesy more often than not so take that advice with a grain of salt.Craig Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00924813294666616097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6398774400897497162.post-83670641551982769022009-02-05T14:07:00.000-05:002009-02-05T14:07:00.000-05:00Layers! Ambiguity! Yes! <BR/><BR/>First of all, thrilled you see the light with Doubt, Dorothy. As you know by now it's one of my favorite movies of the year and it only grows stronger in my mind the farther I get from it (compared to a number of others I was deeply jazzed about, but have since receded in my esteem).<BR/><BR/>The acting is the main drawing card here as you note, but that mighty combination of simplicity with layers you also mention is what really puts it over for me. It all seems so obvious and easily swallowed on the surface, but the more you think about it (thinking that's hopefully touched off by the ambiguous ending) the richer and more full-bodied it becomes.<BR/><BR/>Both the writing and the performances play into the layers as well. All of the characters are revealed to be more subtly defined than the near stereotypes we're first presented with and all four actors make the most of the shadings they're giving. None of them behave exactly as you'd expect them to, yet all of their actions make complete sense.<BR/><BR/>I admit that some of the symbolism was overplayed (I kinda liked the wind too, but I have to admit it was a bit much) and there were other elements that lacked a certain cinematic subtlety, but damnit it worked.<BR/><BR/>I won't gush anymore about Streep other than to say I completely agree. If she doesn't win the Oscar I won't pitch a fit, but she's the one I'm rooting for.Craig Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00924813294666616097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6398774400897497162.post-13668495462014054782009-02-05T11:31:00.001-05:002009-02-05T11:31:00.001-05:00Thank you very much, Jim and welcome. I'm particularly glad you enjoyed the film as much as I did, there's only a few of us out there so we have to stick together :)<BR/><BR/>SPOILER ALERT<BR/>As to the Miller character, I hope I didn't come across too harshly. Indeed, I attempted to convey that she is sympathetic. Still, it's shocking to hear a mother say "he can have him!" when confronted with what is disturbing information. I don't doubt (no pun intended) that she wants the best for Donald and this includes a bright future with a good education so he can go to college, but because of his own proclivities, she doesn't see the potential harm in having this man continue an inappropriate relationship with her child. It's willful blindness and it's scary, but it's also humanized by Davis' performance.<BR/><BR/>SPOILER ENDS<BR/><BR/>In short, I think we agree there. And I do have a tendency to come across a bit too strongly about certain issues. <BR/><BR/>"The Case for Kate Winslet: The 2000s" will be up soon, by the way!Dorothy Porkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11787876102077401603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6398774400897497162.post-9573275754402236832009-02-05T11:21:00.000-05:002009-02-05T11:21:00.000-05:00First of all, great site! I enjoyed your case for Winslet a lot and I can't wait for the second part!<BR/><BR/>Now, about the review. I agree with almost anything. The only part I disagree is about Mrs Miller. The way you put it makes it seem as if she wants her son to be successful and she doesn't care about his happiness. I think she just wants the "lesser evil" (if that't how it's said) for him. It's not about his career or anything. Maybe I misinterpreted what you wrote but I just wanted to clarify that.Jim Tnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6398774400897497162.post-50367837779741027702009-02-05T10:31:00.000-05:002009-02-05T10:31:00.000-05:00Thanks, amy. Re-reading my review, I noticed that I'm at my cheesiest (ever), but I can't help it -- I really loved the film and especially the performances. It's just terrific.Dorothy Porkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11787876102077401603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6398774400897497162.post-50662079074609244512009-02-05T00:06:00.000-05:002009-02-05T00:06:00.000-05:00Dorothy! I'm so happy you got to watch Doubt!! And even more happy with how content you seem to be with the film...<BR/><BR/>Indeed, Streep is one of the best (if not the best) performance of the year in here, and the film is so great because of the ambiguity of the story.siutou_amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01573414811758256835noreply@blogger.com