Spotlight

We've seen many message-orientated films in our past for reasons of teaching us something, depending on the subject matter, so we can take that information and either think about it or actually do something with it. Films are typically created to entertain us, but at times Hollywood has got to talk to us and their list screams this: "Silkwood", "Norma Rae", "Philadelphia", "Contagion", even the recent "Truth". Well, now in the offing, Hollywood is talking to us once again in the form of "Spotlight".

This film tells the riveting true story of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Boston Globe investigation, in 2001, that would rock the city and cause a crisis in one of the world's oldest and most trusted institutions. When the new managing editor, Marty Baron (Liev Schreiber) enlists the newspaper's tenacious "Spotlight" team of reporters including editor, Walter "Robby" Robinson (Michael Keaton), editor, Ben Bradlee Jr. (John Slattery), Mike Rezendes (Mark Ruffalo) and Sacha Pfeifer (Rachel McAdams), to delve into allegations of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, their year-long investigation uncovers a decades-long cover-up at the highest levels of Boston's religious, legal, and government establishment, touching off a wave of revelations around the world. This is a tense investigative dramatic-thriller, tracing the steps to one of the biggest cover-ups in modern times.

Others to round out the cast are Brian d'Arcy James as Matt Carroll, Stanley Tucci as Mitchell Garabedian, Elena Wohl as Barbara, Billy Crudup as Eric Macleish, Jamey Sheridan as Jim Sullivan, Neal Huff as Phil Saviano, Duane Murray as Hansi Kalkofen, Michael Cyril Creighton as Joe Crowley, Len Cariou as Cardinal Law, Brian Chamberlain as Paul Burke, Paul Guilfoyle as Pete Conley and Doug Murray as Peter Canellos.

This was superbly directed by Tom McCarthy ("The Station Agent" '03, "The Visitor" '07, "Win Win" '11, "The Cobbler" '14). The best thing I can say for this filmmaker is that he tends to stick with independence films which I certainly can appreciate and respect. This, in my book, in the mark of a true artist since he obviously looks for projects he believes in, instead of going after the big commercial film for the money. The way he opted to develop his character personas was amazing, however when one has the ensemble cast as this has, makes it much easier to get his actors in character. It was equally well written by Josh Singer and McCarthy. McCarthy is the seasoned writer here, so by using Singer to help him, even though Singer has only two films to his credit, it is surprising this came out as well delineated as it was. The subject matter must have lent to being able to pull off this script, since most controversial subject matter is great fodder for an awesome storyline. There were a couple of slow places, albeit small, but slow, but is this is all I could find questionable this film succeeds on many levels.

This is a disturbing, intense film, so to see this for any other reason than to enjoy the acting, directing and writing, one would be hard-pressed. This could possibly be considered when Oscar season comes along, but until that time, this is a worthy watch.

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                               Rated: R                                128mins.