Doubt

Doubt began on stage in 2004, shortly after allegations of child molestation rocked the Catholic Church in America. But though the issues were timely, the action is placed in that faraway land of 1964 where Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep), the head of a school in the Bronx, begins to suspect that her supervicar, Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman), is harbouring impure thoughts about one of their charges - the school's only ever black student, Donald (Joseph Foster II).

Her suspicions are only bolstered by those of her younger colleague Sister James (Amy Adams), and she begins planning how to expose Father Flynn. It almost seems excessive to put Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman in a movie together; like serving up foie gras with a side order of foie gras, perhaps. And at times the weight of their performances does threaten to unbalance the film, not least because they are so different in tone - his steady and subtle; hers extravagant and outsized.

The story, meanwhile, is one that dwells in the murkiness of ambiguity; much is talked about, but little is spelled out. It all makes for an undoubtedly intelligent and impressive movie, but one which seems in need of some adjustment - performances toned down, narratives sharpened - if it is to truly come into focus.