Spotlight

**Spoiler Alert**

Director: Tom McCarthy/Starring: Michael Keaton, Liev Schreiber, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, John Slattery, Brian d'Arcy James, Stanley Tucci, Jamey Sheridan and Billy Crudup

Two films on journalism are currently making the rounds of theaters; The Truth and Spotlight. Both tell stories based on actual events but of the two, it is safe to say the latter is the superior. While the former flounders in liberal sanctimony, the latter is tougher and ultimately more disquieting. The former makes the filthier aspects of journalism look glamorous with Cate Blanchett and Robert Redford in the leads while the latter is grittier and glamor-free.

Based on the Boston Globe's investigation into pedophilia in the Catholic Church, Spotlight tells the story of how the newspaper's crack reporting team; known as Spotlight, uncovered the Catholic church's efforts to bury evidence condemning more than 90 clergymen in the Boston area. We are reminded how daunting the investigation must have been in a city that is 53% Catholic and in thrall to men of the cloth. Pursuing the story means, as several Boston Globe personnel are quick to point out to the newly-arrived editor Marty Baron (Liev Schreiber), suing the Church. Baron learns how daunting the idea of taking on a monolithic institution with impressive and near-infinite resources can be when he assigns the Spotlight team; lead by Walter "Robby" Robertson (Michael Keaton) to research the story. Robertson's staff of veteran reporters; Mike Rezendes (Mark Ruffalo), Sacha Pfeiffer (Rachel McAdams) and Matt Carroll (Brian d'Arcy James) express surprise when given their new assignment; knowing former attempts to break the story of pedophiliac clergy were previously suppressed.

As Robertson and his staff chase down leads and interview victims, the effort to gain access to public files on cases against the Catholic Church is thwarted not only by the church itself, but the legal system, which becomes a collusive agent. But Spotlight learns of other lawyers who have filed cases or have pending cases against the church. One such lawyer: Mitchell Garabedian (Stanley Tucci), is at first reluctant to allow Spotlight to interview his clients but eventually cooperates. Another lawyer for a high-profile firm; Eric Macleish (Billy Crudup), has also tried cases against the church with mixed results but unlike Garabedian, he refuses to share any information on his cases. The way Macleish responds to Robertson's request for information tell us everything about the Catholic Church's extensive power and influence.

Those that share personal accounts of abuse with Spotlight reporters tell disturbing stories of being coerced by priests, who they held in reverence and awe, to perform sex acts on them, including fellatio and intercourse.

Spotlight also makes contact with a former victim; Phil Saviano (Neal Huff), who has since formed an organization to help victims and who becomes a key source in the investigation. Spotlight members encounter much resistance from parishioners, who find the idea of exposing priests and bishops unsavory.

We get a sense of the sickness that pervades the priestly ranks, which leaves one with a feeling of revulsion. In one disturbing scene, Sacha interviews a pedophile priest at his front door. We expect the priest to slam the door in her face but instead he is shockingly candid about what he did but more horrific is his lack of remorse or any acknowledgement of guilt. His mantra-like response to Sacha's questions about molesting kids is "Yes, but I didn't feel any gratification." The questions are brought to a halt by the priest's sister, who does slam the door. And though the Spotlight team makes progress in their interviews and fact-finding, Baron realizes the story will only make an impact if the they can prove the abuse was systemic, which means running afoul of Cardinal Law, the presiding church power. Doing so also means securing the files on cases against the church.

In a exciting sequence, Rezendes manages to gain access to the secret files but not without stiff resistance from a clerk who isn't sympathetic to the reporter's investigation.

What Spotlight accomplished is public record now, but seeing the story depicted in a movie gives one a sense of how determined the Catholic Church is/was to suppress its darkest, evil secrets. This is accomplished in part by excellent performances all around and intelligent, crisp dialogue that keeps one's ears engaged and mind alert. Michael Keaton proves his performance in Birdman is no fluke. His intense presence plays well against Schreiber's Marty Baron, whose reserve masks a penetrating intelligence. Mark Ruffalo is always terrific and Rachel McAdams, who has recently extricated herself from years of crappy romantic comedies, is also quite good.

The pace is fast but not frenetic though one is sure to confuse names and personalities in a film where facts and people quickly come and go.

Though director McCarthy's story is affectively told, somehow it failed to completely go for the throat. It is a terrific film and a stirring one, but it wasn't as dark as I had hoped it would be. This should in no way be read as a major criticism but maybe just personal taste. The Catholic Church has much to answer for in its history; the sexual abuse of children is only one example of its moral failings. The film's unflinching pursuit of one truth the Church would rather not acknowledge or pretend doesn't exist is commendable and brave, especially when one considers it may offend a certain movie-going demographic.

It is particularly sobering to see the staggering list of international cities where church members have reported abuse, which precedes the end credits. It is even more sobering to see one's home town on the list.

Spotlight is one of the significant films of the season. Whether it will be worth seeing again years hence or become a relic is for the future to determine. For now, it is a compelling drama with a big target.