Log in / Sign up
 
    Share this page

    Spotlight

    Reviewed by
    adamwatchesmovies@

    I’ve seen “Spotlight” twice now. The first time I saw it, it blew my mind. It shocked and infuriated me. I needed to see it again. I wanted to make sure that my strong feelings towards it were because the movie was well made, not because you can’t see a movie about corruption this blatant and not become emotional. Revisiting it has given me a whole new appreciation for “Spotlight”. For the way it tackles its subject and its performances.

    Based on true events, it follows the “Spotlight” reporters of the Boston Globe in 2001: Michael Rezendes (Mark Ruffalo), Walter Robinson (Michael Keaton), Sacha Pfeiffer (Rachel McAdams), Ben Bradlee Jr. (John Slattery), and Matt Carroll (Brian d’Arcy James). When a new editor (Liev Schreiber as Marty Baron) decides the paper needs to follow up on the story of a priest who sexually abused children, Spotlight uncovers a decade-long pattern.

    This story is upsetting. We're talking about children who've been victimized and an organization people trust betraying its followers by caring about itself rather than anyone else. You don’t know whether you want to cry because of everything you see, or if you’re relieved that those responsible are being held accountable. Like the original articles published in the Boston Globe, “Spotlight” is someone planting their feet and saying, “It’s time for the world to know! We won’t stand for this! ” Writer/director Tom McCarthy (who pens with Josh Singer) ensures none of this will ever be forgotten and shows the importance of real journalism but even without all the historical relevance and "important" messages, you’ve still got a triumph of cinema.

    This movie is a snowball you push around. As the investigation progresses, it grows but remains manageable. You have an idea of what it will look like but you don't know for sure. Before you know it, you're struggling against a gargantuan weight and then, gravity takes over. You made it to the top of the hill and now the thing's got a mind of its own. When it'll stop you can't say but its impact will be unforgettable."Spotlight" masterfully builds upon each plot point, revelation, and conversation so elegantly. It keeps raising the stakes and makes you care about not just the fact that once the article is published the child predators are going to be exposed, but also about the article itself. You are invested in this story because of the effort the journalists have put into it, and what it represents.

    While the focus of “Spotlight” is on the research and the article's assembly, the characters are not ignored. Each reporter has a personality. You understand who they are by their reactions to the material, their mannerisms, and the way they talk. It's so genuine the film takes on a documentary-like feel. You’ll have the main piece of information that’s important for you to retain. Beneath that statistic, number, or testimony there’s so much more. You can tell that when the camera isn’t on these people, that their world keeps spinning. You just happen to be lucky enough to catch the essential glimpses.

    I wouldn't call "Spotlight" fun but it’s exciting and masterfully directed. The suspense is off the charts and the performances are strong. It never feels exploitative, manipulative, or unscrupulous."Spotlight" is a testament to the power and the responsibility of journalism, to the danger of people looking the other way. It's so well made you'll feel drawn to it again despite the subject matter. (Theatrical version on the big screen, December 30, 2015)

    10
    HelpfulNot helpful  Reply
    adamwatchesmovies@  11.12.2015 age: 26-35 2,867 reviews

    Show all reviews for this movie
    Note: The movie review posted on this page reflects a personal opinion of one user. We are not responsible for its content.

    Did you see ''Spotlight''?

    There is a problem with your e-mail address and we are unable to communicate with you. Please go to My Account to update your email.

    How do you rate this movie?

    Select stars from 1 to 10.
    10 - A masterpiece, go, see it now
    9 - Excellent movie, a must see
    8 - Great movie, don't miss it
    7 - Good movie, worth seeing
    6 - Not bad, could be much better
    5 - So so, okay if you don't pay
    4 - Not good, even if you don't pay
    3 - Poor movie, not recommended
    2 - Very bad, forget about it
    1 - Worst ever, avoid at all costs

    Please explain. Write your comment here:

    Please choose a username to sign your comments. Only letters, digits, dash - or period. Minimum 4 characters.

    Your age and sex:

    We publish all comments, except abusive, at our discretion.