WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Authority we trust. There are those in power whom deserve our respect, some commanding it without even having to say a word, as their position alone institutes a level of admiration and consideration from everyone around them. But, there is then the abuse of authority. Deeds going unchecked, unpunished, and almost ignored as part of “protecting” the higher placed individuals involved. Meanwhile, the victims remain hurt, scarred for life, and afraid to come forward–until someone arrives to persuade them otherwise. Boston, Massachusetts, 2002, and one of the largest papers in the city, The Boston Globe, and a team of aggressive journalists known as “Spotlight”, uncover one such example of this that shakes a city, a state, a nation, and the world to its core.
Thanks to the arrival of new Editor, Marty Baron (Liev Schreiber), the “Spotlight” team–Walter “Robby” Robinson (Michael Keaton), Mike Rezendes (Mark Ruffalo), Sacha Pfeiffer (Rachel McAdams), and Matt Carroll (Brian d’Arcy James)–get greenlighted by Baron and publisher Ben Bradlee, Jr. (John Slattery) to look deeper into allegations of child molestation within the local Catholic Church, thanks to an existing case that was mostly glossed over. But the harder they push, it becomes freakishly apparent that the issue goes well beyond just five priests, but rather to as many as 90. Soon, the team is warring against lawyers, local government, and the Boston Archdiocese, even as victims begin coming forward, as evidence surfaces that not only were so many involved, but the Church knew, and chose to hide the truth.
Next, my Mind:
Writer/Director Tom McCarthy wastes no time and effort with any attempts to sanitize or evade the ugly realities of this case brought to light by the “Spotlight” team, whose investigation and related articles went on to win a 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. A well-paced, intensely dramatic, eye-opening, heart-rending, and gut-wrenching exposé on the unconscionable cover-up within the Catholic Church in Boston, the film keeps you riveted the entire time, just waiting for the shoe to finally drop on those responsible for concealing these despicable acts. It is a perceivable atmosphere throughout the effort, with every roadblock faced just as angering and every step towards gaining justice that much more satisfying.
And thanks to the deft screenwriting, it is no small thing or a cop out to laud this entire cast in their performances, each and every one able to potently exhibit the pressures, passions, and unwavering determination to see these acts unmasked and denounced while striving to keep the journalistic integrity of the longest running investigative unit in the country. From Schreiber’s “new guy on the block” quiet, yet firm, Baron to Ruffalo’s deeply immersed and emotionally consumed Rezendes, to the by-the-book intensity of McAdams’ Pfeiffer, Keaton’s Robinson, and James’ Carroll, it all works into a fantastically executed ensemble effort. Additionally, supporting turns by excellent character actors Stanley Tucci and Billy Cudrup elevate the picture even further.
With finale statistics on the screen putting the final exclamation point on the proceedings, “Spotlight” is one powerful and sobering film that may shine a light on the ugliness we don’t always want to know goes on, yet we can be thankful that one group of journalists decided enough is enough.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
