Movie Review: "Spotlight" (Tom McCarthy, 2015)

SPOTLIGHT ON AWARDS GLORY? by Maxwell Meyers

Above: Michael Keaton and Rachel McAdams in Mr. McCarthy’s new movie.  Photo ©Open Road Films.

Well folks, once again it’s that time of year where all the “Oscar contenders” come out of the woodwork seeking glory.  This year, as always, there are one or two movies being touted as the “frontrunner.”  One of which, according to all the pundits, is “Spotlight.” 

“Spotlight” is the true story of how The Boston Globe uncovered child molestation within the Catholic Church—and brought it to public light in 2001.  Directed by Tom McCarthy (“The Station Agent”) and starring Michael Keaton, Live Schreiber, Mark Ruffalo and Rachael McAdams, it is a wonderfully all-around pretty darn good movie.

I know you’re thinking, “All around pretty darn good.  What does that even mean?” Well, allow me to explain.

The story told by “Spotlight” is compelling, especially since the well-shot film doesn’t drag or linger on unimportant moments.  What’s more, the acting is equally great, even if none of the film’s actors disappear into their characters as completely as Leonardo DiCaprio and Daniel Day-Lewis do.  Like the film itself, they are admirable without being spectacular or revolutionary, keeping you intrigued but never drawing you to the edge of your seat.

That said, having lived in Portland, Oregon for the near entirety of my life and growing up without any religion, I found “Spotlight” terribly interesting.  In particular, I was fascinated by the beginning of the movie, when a reporter investigates one or two incidents of misconduct in the church, then begins to unravel a cycle of abuse masked by a conspiracy more disturbing than any character (or audience member) could have imagined).

Of course, the story of the Globe’s investigation has been publicized and talked about for nearly fifteen years now, so the movie isn’t a true mystery.  Yet it’s fascinating to watch reporters uncover information and signs that had been apparent for decades—dots that no one had bothered to connect that ultimately reveal the horrific realities of institutional abuse (at the theater where I saw “Spotlight,” I heard multiple whispers of, “Oh my god,” and “Jesus Christ,” as shock cut through the silence of the theater). 

Ultimately, I recommend that all moviegoers see “Spotlight.”  But even if it is a frontrunner in the awards race, I don’t think that it deserves to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.  That trophy should be delivered to the films that traffic in the spectacular and the new, films that grip you emotionally and star actors who melt away and become people we couldn’t have imagined.  Yes, “Spotlight” comes close to that benchmark, but it doesn’t quite hit it.

Grade: B+