SPOTLIGHT - review

SPOTLIGHT
Director: Tom McCarthy
Cast: Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, John Slattery, Liev Schreiber, Brian d'Arcy James, Stanley Tucci

Synopsis: When the Boston Globe's tenacious "Spotlight" team of reporters delves into allegations of abuse in the Catholic Church, their year-long investigation uncovers a decades-long cover-up at the highest levels of Boston's religious, legal and government establishment, touching off a wave of revelations around the world.

Well shiiiit. That was some fairly heavy viewing for a rainy Thursday night. I went into the Sun knowing that I was going to see one of two films - the last two available to me on the Best Picture nominee list because Brooklyn isn't out yet because Australia - either SPOTLIGHT or THE ROOM. I knew both were going to be heavy, and I wasn't fussed which I saw so I let the lovely staff decide for me. They chose SPOTLIGHT, so off I went with my coconut choc top (the lactose intolerant person has no regrets, the bloating and cramps are totally worth it) and settled in with my crochet to tick another film off my list. Walking out of the cinema I saw the friendly staff member who chose my film and she asked "how was it?" My reply? "Well shiiiit."

Well shiiiit is exactly what these guys are thinking too let me tell you

Image via eOne Entertainment

Unless you've been living under a rock (no judgements) you will know the story of the Catholic Church and the years of abuse scandals and cover ups and controversy, and you might also well know the story of the crack team of journalists who really brought it to the fore in a Pulitzer winning piece of journalism. I knew what I was in for, but I really didn't think it would hit me so hard. I've read the articles, I'm up with the facts, but holy hell, seeing it on screen like that...I mean wow. It's really screwed up.

The Globe gets a new editor, he wants the Spotlight team to investigate a story about a Catholic priest under fire for abuse. Little did any of them know they would uncover a further 69 priests along the way. The lies, the under rug sweeping of it all really gets my goat, at least it would if I had a goat (I never understood that saying, but I digress). All those years and not one person listened to the few people who tried to say something, the thought horrifies me.

Liev Schreiber as Marty Baron 

Image via eOne Entertainment

McCarthy has put together a slow building, meticulous and gripping film that is incredibly sobering. Like a good piece of journalism it gathers tidbits of information and puts them together like a giant puzzle, each piece revealing a little more of the picture, but also revealing that there are more pieces than you thought. SPOTLIGHT has been nominated for 6 Academy Awards this year and I can see why. Best Motion Picture, Best Achievement in Directing, Best Supporting Actor (Mark Ruffalo), Best Supporting Actress (Rachel McAdams), Best Writing Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen and Best Achievement in Editing. SPOTLIGHT is deserving of all of these noms, although the sadly I  don't think it will take home the hallowed trophy for any of them.

Let's talk about Mark Ruffalo, underrated and under appreciated for so many years, he was incredible in this film. I don't know much about the real people of the real Spotlight team, but when Mike Rezendes (Ruffalo) dropped his bundle, I dropped mine too. I got really mad right along side him, yet at the same time I could completely see where Walter 'Robby' Robinson (Michael Keaton) was coming from. If that's not a sign of a good script and spectacular acting and direction I'm not sure what is. Sacha Pfeiffer (Rachel McAdams) had the pretty shitty job of interviewing survivors, and McAdams I thought could have done a little tiny bit more - I didn't see her feeling all of the feels, and I wanted to. To be fair, that's not her fault, that's the script and the limitations of time. If you'd seen her feel all of the feels every time it might have killed you and her and it would have made the film about 70 million hours longer. I just wanted a little something extra on that front.

Their faces say it all - when you realise you're going to need a bigger boat

Image via eOne Entertainment. 

On a side note, the one person I didn't get enough of in this film is Stanley Tucci, who played Mitchell Garabedian, the lawyer representing survivors in court, no under rug sweeping allowed. I wanted more of that story, but I think that's because I'm partial to Stanley Tucci and the more screen time he gets ever the better off the world is in general. Seriously though, I am going to find out more about that little side plot that we get glimpses of because that man is a hero to many, and I want to know about it. Stanley Tucci made me want to know about it.

Mitchell Garabedian - the lone wolf, the hero 

Image via eOne Entertainment. 

If you don't mind something heavy and you're prepared to deal with the sobering fact that the world we live in is bullshit and that people are asshats, and to have yourself wondering for hours "how the hell could so many people let this happen" then I think you'll enjoy SPOTLIGHT. It is a beautifully put together film, and the ensemble cast is wonderful - not a bad apple among them. A slow build, but with a driving pace that keeps you locked into the story. Also if you have an appreciated for underrated actors like Ruffalo and Tucci then you'll want to see them in these roles. I even liked Liev Schreiber in this film and that's saying something - credit to Tom McCarthy for that one. Anyway, if you can deal with the heaviness, then I think SPOTLIGHT is worth forking out the 20-something dollars (plus snacks, it's a long haul). "Well shiiiit" is a good phrase to know, becuase there are no other words at least not ones that are appropriate and lady like and your'e going to want to say something.

4 out of 5

Xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell