Sins of the Fathers

Rating: 9/10 (6 January 2016)

The construction of this film is so traditional that at times it feels old-fashioned, having an almost "I've seen this all before" quality. Clearly the objective is to deliver the story in as efficient a manner as possible. No fireworks. No soundtrack that grabs you by the throat. No chewing of the scenery allowed. Remember "Erin Brockovich"? Julie Roberts wouldn't have known what to do with herself on this set. But somehow it all works. By some strange alchemy "Spotlight" is one of the three most soulful films I've seen this year. (The two others - "Love & Mercy" and "Time Out of Mind".) Much attention has been given to the performance of the "good guys", Keaton & Company, and deservedly so. But I thought "Spotlight" did a brilliant job of showing the venality of the kind of corruption that allowed the sins of the priests to go unchecked: The performances of Billy Crudup and Paul Guilfoyle were pitch-black perfect.