Spotlight *****

Ever since the sobering expose of the Catholic Church in documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney’s Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012), the Church’s sordid allegations of legacy sex abuse cases have been further brought to light. Spotlight, the latest feature film is based on another real-life case, but no less impactful.

It follows the true story of the Boston Globe newspaper’s uncovering of a huge child abuse ‘network’ within the local Catholic Archdiocese by the ‘Spotlight’ team of investigative reporters. Written and directed by actor Tom McCarthy (Dr Bob from Little Fockers and Meet The Parents), the film is like a snowball of sheer horror as the true extent becomes apparent – and much closer to home than any of the team first thought. Lesson learnt: leave no stone unturned when investigating.

Spotlight has a natural urgency, tenacity and momentum as our own thirst for more information – however appalling to hear – matches that of the Globe’s team. It also feels more organic as things unfold than the usual big-screen ‘hotshot team’ spraying us with a clever verbal barrage of their trail of thought behind closed doors. This team, led by Michael Keaton’s Walter ‘Robby’ Robinson, has its stops and starts – like any real-life investigation – before the penny drops.

Keaton was literally born to play such a role. His onscreen leadership and hounddog nature always makes for credible viewing. However, Robby is a little more of a local politician than a rebel in this, so it’s invigorating to watch Keaton’s Robby trying to toe the very thin line while refusing to give up – at his own professional expense.

Mark Ruffalo is a delight as Mike Rezendes, the intrepid reporter who never gives up and always questions in that mildly amusing ‘passive aggressive’ fashion. In fact, some of the best standoff scenes are opposite Stanley Tucci as obtuse lawyer (for the alleged victims) Mitchell Garabedian. Ruffalo’s Rezendez has to broker deals with this tricky customer, as well as cope with the frustrations of city hall bureaucracy, all the while trying to keep a near level head throughout.

Liev Schreiber as the newly-appointed managing editor Marty Baron is another more subdued force in this, the wall that no one can conquer, even with subtle threats from local religious leaders. He is our moral gauge throughout, providing an intriguing contrast with John Slattery’s assistant managing editor character Ben Bradlee Jr who rides a sea of emotion – including personal doubts as to Baron’s direction. Rachel McAdams gives a great performance as reporter Sacha Pfeiffer, responsible for getting one of the film’s most astounding doorstep confessions. All in all, the cast is terrific.

Spotlight is a prime example of how a strong real-life story, great casting and tight scripting and directing can naturally drive home an atmospheric and purely character-driven drama, regardless of how ‘meaty’ the subject matter. In lesser hands, this could have been more tabloid titillating, or worse, simply ‘flat’ in energy. It is a screen triumph of horrific enveloping and seismic proportions and well worth catching.

5/5 stars

By @FilmGazer

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