Powered by an exceptional screenplay

Rating: 10/10 (23 February 2019)

I have watched this film 3 times and each time I am in awe at how finely tuned the screenplay is in terms of both the issues and the storytelling. The script, for example, both demonstrates the power of the media while bluntly criticizing the Globe for not putting the pieces together sooner. It makes the characters not saints but people who did their job well and did a service for the community. Likewise, by including a spectrum of reactions among Catholics (lapsed I some cases) the film manages to criticizes the Catholic hierarchy without criticizing the Catholic faith. The accounts of the victims contain enough detail to bring into focus the awfulness of sexual assault without being obscene or sensationalist.
But best of all, each scene feels included for the sake of the story. So, for example, when Mike blows up and gives voice to feeling betrayed it is both to give voice to that sort of reaction and a natural outgrowth of Mike's character. It explains why he had been such a workaholic on this story. Nothing feels included to shape the societal points and yet the more you look at the information presented a hell of lot of societal points are made. The script is one of the best ever written.
Fortunately, the masterful script is brought to life by a great cast and simply but effective direction. This is truly a great film.