In January 2002, the Boston Globe published a blockbuster story detailing the massive scandal of child molestation and cover up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core. Spotlight is the story of the five newspaper reporters who brought this to fruition. Against all odds, they discovered a massive cover up orchestrated by the hierarchy of the church, âprotectingâ countless Priests who molested thousands of innocent young children. These victims were labeled âsurvivors,â and this story is as much about them as it is the predators.
There is an outstanding cast. Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, John Slattery and Brian dâarcy James are a group of Boston Globe reporters who focus on investigative issues and are nicknamed âSpotlightâ by both the paper and the community. Once they get a âwhiffâ of the pedophile priests and the cover up, the team launches an all-out investigation, they literally become predators themselves, determined to learn and publish the truth.
Needless to say there are mountains of roadblocks to overcome, the years and layers of deceit have become a way of life for the church, which is determined to keep its secrets under wraps at all costs. Settlements for âsurvivorsâ who have come forward are handled outside of the legal system, circumventing public records, and of course, everyone is bound to silence by the settlement agreements.
Spotlight
Entertainment Rating: ★★★★
Rating: R, some profanity, open discussions about sexual matters, purely adult content
Possible Oscar Nominations: Best Movie, Best Actor (Mark Ruffalo), Best Supporting Actor (Stanley Tucci)
We watch as the reporters fight through these obstructions and slowly but surely they chip away at the blockades. In the process, they locate some of the survivors and the interviews with them are chilling at the very least. We know this is a true story from the beginning, and the stories told by the survivors fall under the category of âyou couldnât make this up.â
This film earns four stars for substance and terrific acting. It starts out a little slow and takes a while to get into third gear. Once it does you will be caught up in the search for truth and youâll admire the fortitude and relentless pursuit these five reporters are engaged in. The cinematography leaves something to be desired, but after a short time you wonât even notice it.
The Spotlight team ultimately âblows the Archdiocese awayâ with the results of their investigation. Little did they know, this was only the tip of the iceberg, and as the closing credits begin, the producers show on screen the statistical fallout from the investigation. The problem is not only throughout the United States, but is worldwide. The numbers of priests and survivors is jaw dropping and I sat stunned as I saw the length and breadth of this despicable practice.
This movie is not for everyone. It moves methodically through the investigation, and there are no âcolorfulâ moments or action sequences of any kind. I will tell you that the interviews with the survivors will stay with you for some time, but this is a story that needed to be told.
Headline: Spotlight story told with Oscar-winning potential
