![\"spotlight\"](\"http:\/\/filmgaze.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/spotlight.jpg\")
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Ever since the sobering expose of the Catholic Church in documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney\u2019s Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God<\/em> (2012), the Church\u2019s sordid allegations of legacy sex abuse cases have been further brought to light. Spotlight<\/em>, the latest feature film is based on another real-life case, but no less impactful.<\/p>\n It follows the true story of the Boston Globe newspaper\u2019s uncovering of a huge child abuse\u00a0‘network’ within the local Catholic Archdiocese by the \u2018Spotlight\u2019 team of investigative reporters. Written and directed by actor Tom McCarthy (Dr Bob from Little Fockers<\/em> and Meet The Parents<\/em>), the film is like a snowball of sheer horror as the true extent becomes apparent \u2013 and much closer to home than any of the team first thought. Lesson learnt: leave no stone unturned when investigating.<\/p>\n Spotlight<\/em> has a natural urgency, tenacity and momentum as our own thirst for more information \u2013 however appalling to hear \u2013 matches that of the Globe\u2019s team. It also feels more organic as things unfold than the usual big-screen \u2018hotshot team\u2019 spraying us with a clever verbal barrage of their trail of thought behind closed doors. This team, led by Michael Keaton\u2019s Walter \u2018Robby\u2019 Robinson, has its stops and starts \u2013 like any real-life investigation – before the penny drops.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s invigorating to watch Keaton\u2019s Robby trying to toe the very thin line while refusing to give up \u2013 at his own professional expense.<\/p>\n Mark Ruffalo is a delight as Mike Rezendes, the intrepid reporter who never gives up and always questions in that mildly amusing\u00a0\u2018passive aggressive\u2019 fashion. In fact, some of the best standoff scenes are opposite Stanley Tucci as obtuse lawyer (for the alleged victims) Mitchell Garabedian. Ruffalo\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s assistant managing editor character Ben Bradlee Jr who rides a sea of emotion \u2013 including personal doubts as to Baron\u2019s direction. Rachel McAdams gives a great performance as reporter Sacha Pfeiffer, responsible for getting one of the film\u2019s most astounding doorstep confessions. All in all, the cast is terrific.<\/p>\n Spotlight<\/em> 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 \u2018meaty\u2019 the subject matter. In lesser hands, this could have been more tabloid titillating, or worse, simply \u2018flat\u2019 in energy. It is a screen triumph of horrific enveloping and seismic proportions and well worth catching.<\/p>\n 5\/5 stars<\/strong><\/p>\n By @FilmGazer<\/p>\n