By Andrew Gans
12 Dec 2008

Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Doubt"
photo by Andrew Schwartz/Miramax Film Corp.

"Doubt," the film version of John Patrick Shanley's Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning play — about "the quest for truth, the forces of change, and the devastating consequences of blind justice in an age defined by moral conviction" — opens in New York and Los Angeles Dec. 12.

Academy Award winners Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman head a cast that also includes Amy Adams and Viola Davis. Playwright Shanley not only penned the film's screenplay but also directed the starry film.

In New York City, "Doubt" can be seen at the Angelika Film Center; Clearview Chelsea Cinemas; City Cinemas 1, 2, 3; and AMC Loews Lincoln Square. The film also plays the Arclight Cinemas in Hollywood, CA; and The Landmark in Los Angeles, CA.

The Miramax film will open in additional cities Dec. 19 and will open nationwide Dec. 25.

"Doubt" recently picked up five Golden Globe nominations, including nods for Meryl Streep (Actress-Drama), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Supporting Actor), Amy Adams (Supporting Actress), Viola Davis (Supporting Actress) and playwright Shanley (Screenplay - Motion Picture).

In "Doubt," according to press notes, it's 1964 at "St. Nicholas in the Bronx. A vibrant, charismatic priest, Father Flynn (Hoffman), is trying to upend the school's strict customs, which have long been fiercely guarded by Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Streep), the iron-gloved Principal who believes in the power of fear and discipline. The winds of political change are sweeping through the community, and, indeed, the school has just accepted its first black student, Donald Miller. But when Sister James (Adams), a hopeful innocent, shares with Sister Aloysius her guilt-inducing suspicion that Father Flynn is paying too much personal attention to Donald, Sister Aloysius is galvanized to begin a crusade to both unearth the truth and expunge Flynn from the school. Now, without a shred of proof or evidence except her moral certainty, Sister Aloysius locks into a battle of wills with Father Flynn, a battle that threatens to tear apart the church and school with devastating consequences."

The film features production design by David Gropman; editing by Dylan Tichenor; costume design by Ann Roth; music by Howard Shore; sound mixing by Danny Michael, Lee Dichter and Ron Bochar; and sound editing by Ron Bochar. Roger Deakins was the director of photography.

"Doubt" was produced by Scott Rudin and Mark Roybal with Celia Costas as executive producer.

"Doubt" is rated PG-13 and runs 104 minutes.

The play about a Bronx Catholic school nun who suspects a priest of wrongdoing was a sensation from its 2004 start at Manhattan Theatre Club's Stage I Off-Broadway. Doubt moved to Broadway in 2005, snagged the Tony Award for Best Play (as well as two performance awards and one for direction) and played 525 performances before closing in July 2006. The play also won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

For more information visit doubt-themovie.com.

Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Doubt"
photo by Andrew Schwartz/Miramax Film Corp.