Shattered Faith

Spotlight

As a parent I don’t know if there is anything worse than finding out that your child has been sexually abused by someone you trust. That moment that your child’s innocence is ripped away from them is devastating not only for you, but for your child. I know that my devastation would turn into rage when I found out that someone was trying to sweep my child’s abuse under some bureaucratic rug somewhere. Unfortunately it has happened in our world and Open Road Films’ new release shows us how far a certain organization will go to protect their own in Spotlight.

Spotlight tells us the remarkable story of one group of journalists from the Boston Globe and how they uncovered a sex abuse scandal that rocked the very foundation of the Catholic Church. Insisted by newly hired editor Marty Baron (Liev Schreiber Ray Donavon), the Spotlight group of Boston Globe journalists set out in 2001 to dig deeper into a small claim that a Boston priest sexually abused a boy parishioner and the cover up that ensued by the Catholic Church. As the team dig deeper, they begin to realize that this story much more grand than just one priest.

This is a very compelling look at a heartbreaking story from the early 2000’s. Reminiscent of All the President’s Men, Spotlight brings to life the true thrill of investigative reporting with such a respectable cast and director. I loved this film and has found its way on to my top 10 list of 2015 (list coming soon). I truly believe that everyone should see this film and come to fully understand the impact the actions of these priests had on the faith of Catholic Boston.

The dynamic cast is led by Michael Keaton (Birdman) who plays Spotlight editor Walter "Robby" Robinson. Keaton continues his comeback with this wonderful performance of a man searching for the truth. With Keaton is Mark Ruffalo (Avengers: Age of Ultron) as reporter Michael Rezendes. Ruffalo gives a very strong performance of a slightly headstrong Rezendes. The cast is stellar but I picked these two out due to the passion they both bring to their respective roles.

Writer/director Tom McCarthy (The Station Agent) does a magnificent job of bringing this story even further into the limelight. As said before, the film conjures feelings of impressive journalist stories like Frost/Nixon and Good Night, and Good Luck. The tension that McCarthy keeps throughout the film is impressive and the pacing of the film is perfect. There is never a point in the film that the story becomes dull.

A story that should be told and remembered, Spotlight is one of the best movies to come out in 2015 and will leave you in disbelief. Very well directed and superbly acted, this film is worth seeing and shared with as many people as you know.

The Verdict: Worth Your Time.