Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsexpertly crafted, expertly researched, and expertly contained
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2021
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The topic of child sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests in the United States was first formally publicized in 1985 when a Louisiana priest pleaded guilty to 11 counts of molestation of young boys.
A study conducted by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice )which analyzed these allegations of sexual abuse from 1950 to 2002) indicated that over this span of time 11,000 allegations had been made against 4,390 priests (which is approximately 4% of these priests) in the United States.
To read this report and its subsequent findings please refer to this link:
https://www.bishop-accountability.org/reports/2004_02_27_JohnJay/index.html
Spotlight is a 2015 American biographical drama film directed by Tom McCarthy and written by McCarthy and Josh Singer. It film follows The Boston Globe's "Spotlight" team, the oldest continuously operating newspaper investigative journalist unit in the United States, and its investigation into cases of widespread and systemic child sex abuse in the Boston area by numerous Roman Catholic priests. It is based on a series of stories by the Spotlight team that earned The Globe the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. The film features an ensemble cast including Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, John Slattery, and Stanley Tucci, with Brian d'Arcy James, Liev Schreiber, and Billy Crudup in supporting roles.
Covering the span of approximately 30 years worth of interactions โSpotlightโ is in the perfect position to be considerably incomprehensible; with the exception of some dialogue centered around name drops (๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐) and those in which characters are expected to read between the lines Singer and McCarthysโ writing and direction makes for an investigation that is gripping and easily digested. Still a tough pill to swallow regardless: there is a deeply intimate intermingling of elements throughout that threatens convolution, but the networks of communication and their subsequent influence on the main conflict are maintained as priorities. At times there are characteristics that seem persistently internalized (like motivation), the lack of cognizance in these regards doesnโt distract from the bigger picture at hand.
In preparation for their specific roles both Keaton and Ruffalo met with their real life counterparts (Walter Robinson and Michael Rezendes, respectively). The interviews conducted between them happened over the course of several months (with both Robinson and Resendez often on set) and involved lengthy attempts at replicating and adapting their various patterns of behavior (including vocal patterns!). Their subsequent representations on-screen were reacted to approvingly and they went as far as separately agreeing that watching Ruffalo and Keaton was โlike looking into a mirrorโ. What's most impressive is the humbling dramatization of their performances and the fact that they remain statically dignifying: they never rise above the seriousness of the enclosed subject matter while still packing a punch. As equally important is the presence of those representing victims interviewed - with Jimmy LeBlanc being an actual survival of clergy abuse- and the extent at which they deliver dialogue that is both tear worthy and contextually insightful.
Due to the fidelity to its subject matter and commitment to authenticity this is the first movie to win the prestige of a Veritas Award. This devotion goes above and beyond flashy aesthetics and gritty screenplay through the use of reporters (including those from ๐ป๐๐ ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐ itself) being regularly referred to for their input regarding artistic and alternatively pragmatic related decisions. As a result of this sensitive pieces of information are leafed through, but they're parsimonious summaries are executed without sacrificing the overarching integrity of โSpotlightโ as a whole. It is worth noting that some characters have been noted as being misrepresented (like Paquinโs openness to admitting to abusing anybody being exaggerated and happening much earlier than it did in real life), but these alterations elaborate on the systematic nature of this investigation and the enormity of roadblocks compromising its success.
Me? I have no way of personally connecting to scandals regarding sexual abuse happening within the context of a religious institution, but โSpotlightโ makes no presumptions about its audience to the point of apathy or indifference. This certainly isn't the most exciting watch, but it's expertly crafted, expertly researched, and expertly contained.
Above all else: any film tackling a culture of silence in this regard has my utmost gratitude, and the Vatican recently announcing the appointment of a tribunal in an attempt to hold accused Bishops accountable speaks to the transformative nature of films like this that are often hiding in plain sight.
For those of you out there struggling with this form of exploitation I always like to explicitly say that I am here for you.
That I don't need to live your truth to enthusiastically engage with it.
That your truth is always worth listening to: I guarantee that
For anyone interested in knowing more about clergy abuse and to anyone that needs to file a report please refer to the following resources as necessary:
https://www.camdendiocese.org/clergysexabuseresources/
https://reportbishopabuse.org/