Spotlight (2015)
2015
R
129 Minutes
The true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core.
User Review
-
With brilliant dialogue and performances, Spotlight is a telling film which goes past the teary true story film genre and casts a literal spotlight on the American legal system, as well as the fort Knox underworld which our world lied dormant over.
When new editor Marty Baron (Live Schreiber) asks the Spotlight team at the Boston Globe to look into a case of a priest molesting a child, the team are skeptical of its relevance. Little do they know, the biggest story to ever haunt Boston Streets is about to be exposed.
The film has a wonderful geographical identity. The identity of Boston is essential. Much like Lynch's Blue Velvet, Boston is a place of working hard, baseball and attending mass on Sundays. But, as the film rightly states, it takes an outsider to see reality, this being Schreiber's role.
It becomes more and more haunting as the film progresses and we see just how smothered the story is. With cases as large as 87 in the Boston area alone, it seems impossible that no one knows about it! This is what makes the film so terrifying. You get the feeling that there is a giant invisible beast in the sky that only some can see. Most just see a lovely sunny day. It is only when a spotlight is shone that the true horrors are exposed.
All the performances are brilliantly naturalistic, with all actors, aside from Schreiber obviously, bonding with a Boston identity. Mark Ruffalo particularly shines with a strong accent and unstoppable drive.
Spotlight is one of those 'you have to see it' films. The thing is, this time you actually do. Because, a spotlight is only the beginning towards lighting up the whole dark room.0 member like this review.
