![]() ![]() And while Michael Keaton and Mark Ruffalo have been receiving the bulk of the acclaim of the actors on the Spotlight team, Rachel McAdams steals the… well, spotlight. John Slattery is perfect in his follow-up to “Mad Men” in a role that may feel similar but allows him to flex a muscle he’s been honing for the 8 years the show has been on air. The entire ensemble - which Open Road has stressed in their campaign, the word ensemble - is at their career bests. These journalists are paid the utmost respect by their actors. McCarthy leaves the more affecting and dramatic moments to characters rather than in the plot. ![]() The decision to use natural lighting, imperfect takes, and utilizing actors to their strengths enhances the truth that the film is after. However, unlike the inaptly named film Truth earlier this year, Spotlight feels like it’s after the truth, just as the journalists in the film. It’s easy for a film to seem like it is exploiting its subject, especially when it is one that received as much press as this. The film treats the subject of the investigation with the utmost respect and gives it the weight that it deserves. That’s a strong word that’s used in the film: survivors. As they even say in the movie,“If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to abuse one.” Moments of pure tension - the ones that bring the film alive - are caused by the invisible power of the Church and the abuse’s effect on the survivors. The movie wants you to feel one thing: The Church is Boston and Boston is the Church. In scenes and in dialogue, the Church’s power is felt and feared. The genius of Spotlight is that during the entire movie, the Church lies in the background. Headed by Walter “Robby” Robinson, the Boston Globe Spotlight team work to discover the cover-up of over 90 cases of sexual abuse and molestation of children by Catholic priests. Spotlight, directed by Todd McCarthy, tells the story of the Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation into the Boston Catholic Church scandal. The greatest of which when Ruffalo delivers what is the climactic speech of the film. When the story seems to be slowing down, a moment like this comes along and reenergizes the movie. There are moments like this throughout the movie. This scene is where Spotlight truly comes alive. And in the background - both literally and figuratively - is the Church. The two separate interviews are cut into one another, which amplifies their effect. There’s a scene about a quarter of the way through Spotlightwhen Sacha Pfeiffer ( Rachel McAdams) and Michael Rezendes ( Mark Ruffalo) speak to two of the victims of the abuse at the hand of Catholic priests. Refreshingly realistic, superbly acted, and top-notch direction, Spotlight proves to be one of the best movies of the year ![]()
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