Spotlight

Rating: 5+/5

In what is most likely considered an unexpected Oscar win, Spotlight is intense and brilliantly done.

In July of 2001, five reporters who work for an investigative team called "Spotlight" at the Boston Globe, are hunting for their next story. The new editor of the Globe, Marty Baron (Liev Shrieber) meets with the members of Spotlight and tells them he would like them to begin investigating the cases of alleged sexual abuse by certain priests of the Catholic church.

Though reluctant at first, the Spotlight team agrees to investigate the story, unearthing more information than they had bargained for. Though it started out with interviewing one man, Phil Saviano, the Spotlight team learn that it is not just one priest accused of the allegations, but as little as thirteen who may have committed these heinous acts. Determined now to not only find the truth behind these cover ups from the Church, but to also find justice for the victims, the Spotlight team fights a race against time and power in order to do what's right and uncover a scandal bigger than they could have ever imagined.

When making a film based on a true events, not only do you have the pressure of creating a movie that will be well received by its' audiences, but there is also the added struggle of keeping the plot accurate to the real events in which it is based upon. Before seeing Spotlight, I did not know much about the scandal that was uncovered by the Spotlight team. However, since watching the film, I have done some research of my own, and learned that the movie tried very hard to stay true to its' source material. Not only is that an important thing for any film based on real events to do, but it is perhaps even more important for Spotlight to have done this, given the seriousness of the film's topic. Had they added in an unnecessary amount fabrications to add "drama", as some films do, it would take significantly take away from the movie's overall impact.

Part of what makes Spotlight not only incredibly believable, but powerful as well, is the cast members that make up the film. While watching Mark Ruffalo, who plays Spotlight team member Mike Rezendes, it is clear that he is emanating the characteristics of a real life person and not someone who has been created for the purpose of a story. There are subtle mannerisms he portrays, from the way he moves his mouth while talking, to consistently putting his hands in his pockets, where Ruffalo disappears and Rezendes takes his place. Alongside Ruffalo's performance, is the incredible work done by the rest of the Spotlight team members. Each person is impacted in a different way by the horrendous information they find, and their reactions are what makes the film's content really take a hold of the viewer. It is as if you are investigating the case with them, and are just as anxious to get to the story out to the world as they are.

Similar to the film Zodiac, Spotlight focuses a lot on the journalism side of investigations, rather than just the legal side of it. Though the members of Spotlight contained no powers for arrest, they were able to bring justice through the power of determination and their written words. Given the intense amount of investigation that was done by the members of Spotlight, the film could easily have been much longer than two hours. By focusing on the main aspects of the story, and not going too deep into detail, it makes the movie to be more accessible to its' viewers, and allows the true importance of its' plot be heard.

Upon first watching Spotlight, I was really taken aback by how impressive the film was. I knew that it had won Best Picture at the Academy Awards, but other than that, I hadn't heard very much about it. The collection of the performances by its' cast, alongside the writing and fast-paced storyline, all comes together to create a stunning addition to the world of cinema.

2016 Best Picture Winner- Spotlight

2016 Best Original Screenplay Winner- John Singer and Tom McCarthy