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In response to
"from a creative exec at William Morris: coverage on four of the Oscar-nominated scripts before they became films. "Benjamin Button""
by
pigby
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"Doubt" (with spoilers)
Posted by
pigby (aka chris)
Feb 10 '09, 20:18
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DOUBT no draft date/115pp.
Although its thematic commentary on the destructive nature of gossip, sensationalism, and doubt, itself, do not go overlooked, this script nevertheless feels as though it is so bent on delivering its message that it sacrifices such important narrative staples as action, plot, and sympathetic characters. It broaches a sensitive and not particularly alluring topic with an execution that feels singularly flat, tepid, and uninspired. Ultimately, as an essay, it is an interesting piece, but as a feature script, it proves largely disappointing.
Structurally, the subject matter of the story seems apparent within the first sequence, as Flynn is portrayed as a somewhat dubious and fairly clich�d priest who is a little too friendly with his altar boys. The story takes off in earnest after Aloysius launches a personal vendetta against Flynn, determined to see faults wherever she can. Flynn�s resignation rounds out the second act on an emotional note, but by this point, there have already been numerous problems, and the ultimate conclusion feels somewhat anticlimactic because of them.
One of the primary issues in this script is one of pacing and scene construction. On a purely craft level, it feels as though the script relies far too heavily on dialogue and discussion. Very little actually happens over the course of this movie, save for a series of lengthy conversations about the nature of doubt and the untrustworthiness of people in general.
It is a positive note that Flynn seems largely innocent by the end of the script � a touch that renders somewhat more poignant the apparent central theme of the piece. The script seems to be saying that doubt and hatred allow people to see evil wherever they look, and as such, the story that unfolds here does a decent job of illustrating the theme.
By the same token, though, there needs to be something actually happening to keep the plot moving and the overall presentation interesting enough to be effective. Such, unfortunately, is not the case here. The alleged molestation is not at all surprising, and feels more or less familiar and unoriginal. After this point, the script devolves into something that seems little more than a gossip circle.
While Aloysius begins obsessing over Flynn�s alleged guilt, and James does her best to remain impartial, the other characters � initially somewhat interesting � drop out of the story almost entirely. Jimmy, who opens the script, becomes a non-character, and even Donald, the subject of the entire scandal, is largely absent and mute.
On top of this, the primary characters, themselves, do not stand out as particularly sympathetic or interesting. The closest thing the script has to a protagonist is Sister James, yet she is passive and weak from the first to the last page. She has no back-story or history to bring her alive, but at the same time, while she is friendly and maternal toward her students, she has no apparent motivation or goals, herself.
Flynn plays the part of an enduring victim, powerless to stand up for himself even when he tries. Aloysius is by far the most active character in the script, yet she is deluded, vindictive, and obsessive.
The fact that Flynn is neither cleared nor outed, but instead shunted to another school at the end feels like something of a copout, as well. It makes its point � that society would rather sweep such matters under the carpet � but at the same time, it leaves the script hanging with no particular conclusion.
Ultimately, this script seems set on delivering a particular message, and while it largely succeeds in doing so, it proves copiously talkative, slow-moving, and fairly uninspired along the way.
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Responses:
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"Milk"
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pigby
Feb 10, 20:18
3
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