Contact CU Independent News Staff Writer Kendall Reaves at kendall.reaves@colorado.edu.
“Spotlight” is one of those movies that, when it’s over, leaves the audience with soul-searching questions. Questions about faith, religion and morality — ones that force everyone to dig deep.
The film is based on a true story about a team of reporters working for the Boston Globe who investigated the molestation allegations made against the Catholic Church. The film features a star-studded cast, including Rachel McAdams, Mark Ruffalo, Brian D’Arcy James and Michael Keaton as the reporters that make up the Globe’s special investigative arm. John Slattery appears as an editor at the paper, and he leaves the audience constantly unsure about whether to trust him.
The film stands out for its suspense, with tension building as the reporters go deeper and uncover new victims. The audience becomes immersed in uncovering the truth alongside the reporters.
One of the most haunting aspects of this movie is the realization that the villains are the priests of the Catholic Church. And the film’s release close to Christmas adds another unsettling layer.
“Spotlight” effectively conveys just how heartbreaking the scandal is by portraying grown men who were victims of molestation breaking down crying. And with lawyers getting paid off by the church to keep things quiet, the frustration of the reporters is palpable. The tragedy goes deeper as the reporters start to question the religion they practiced growing up. By the end of the film, it’s clear that “Spotlight” could fit into the horror category; its most frightening aspect is that it’s based on a true story.
The haunting voices of the children’s choir singing beloved Christmas songs in the background juxtaposed with pivotal moments of the exposure of deep-seated religious scandal raise myriad questions regarding faith. The movie also portrays the value and necessity of hard-working journalists who fight to hold people accountable.
“Spotlight” opens in select theaters on Friday, Nov. 13.
