'Spotlight' Review

My expectations were sky-high when I walked into the theater.  Spotlight had garnered a 97% positive rating among critics on Rotten Tomatoes and a 95% among the audience.  The realization that my local theater- one I haven’t visited in at least two years- had redone its seating and now boasted leather recliners and ample leg room that not even I, at a gangly 6’1, could completely occupy.  A borderline insulting barrage of six or seven movie trailers then preceded what would be an underwhelming two hours.

Spotlight takes place early aughts and chronicle’s the Boston Globe’s journalistic efforts to uncover the catholic priest sexual assault scandal.  With a stellar ensemble cast that includes Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, and John Slattery, the film’s most noteworthy performance was Ruffalo’s portrayal of a neurotic and socially-awkward journalist who lived and died by his work.  Neal Huff also shines during his brief time on screen as an adult who was molested by a priest during his childhood.  Slattery showed what Roger Sterling would have been like had the character been on HBO and permitted to drop F-bombs. 

My biggest issue with the film was its complacency in merely recounting the journalistic findings and ignoring any significant characterization of the journalists involved.  The characters act as vehicles by which to relay information to the audience, and any type of engaging sub-plot is non-existent.  There is a discovery late in the film related to Michael Keaton’s character, but my reaction was one of indifference since I had not emotionally invested in his character throughout the film.  In addition to the lack of characterization, the plot lacked any significant stakes and legitimate resistance against the journalists’ mission.

The harsh settings
of the film, which were primarily the interiors of office buildings and dreary backdrops of an overcast Boston, made for a visually boring viewing experience.  The settings fits the tone of the film but does not make the final product any easier to watch.  The subject of the film is likely a large reason for its success.  Priest molestation is a genre that has not been tackled, so there is value in breaking that ground.  But something as fact driven as Spotlight would have fared much better as a documentary instead of a two hour film.

 2.5/5