A gripping newsroom drama

Rating: 8/10 (27 January 2016)

My big "shock" with this movie was seeing a "C+" experience suddenly turn into a a very strong "B+" experience roughly AFTER the 45 minute mark. I've been watching movies all my life, and I can't think of many examples of this happening.
Before that point, the film seemed filled with "newsroom drama clichés" (IE: smirking villains, overly likable protagonists, montage after montage, etc). It just felt "ok...but I've seen this before." Also, I was afraid it would become another "Black Mass"; a well executed, factually correct, but ultimately, for me, a hollow experience.
But, there's a moment when this film decides to go its own way, and it does so very well: - The obstacles become increasingly more interesting. - The emotional scenes in this film are handled well. They seem appropriate and never forced. - The film is brave in its portrayal of the Roman Catholic Church, and pulls no punches. With films like these, you'd expect filmmakers to walk on eggshells and try not to offend their viewers. It was a nice surprise to not see this happen in "Spotlight".
7.8/10 or B+ Watch for Mark Ruffalo, who steals the show yet again.