Flawless performances. Period

Rating: 8/10 (6 March 2016)

"It's time, Robby! It's time! They knew and they let it happen! To KIDS! Okay? It could have been you, it could have been me, it could have been any of us. We gotta nail these scumbags! We gotta show people that nobody can get away with this; Not a priest, or a cardinal or a freaking pope!"
When Mike Rezendes (Mark Ruffalo) screams these lines to his boss Robby (Michael Keaton) you can almost feel the pain, anger and fear that is rushing through his veins at that moment. That is what happens when you are a true journalist who gets involved with the story he does, and especially when it is about 90 priests of the 'Holy' Catholic Church molesting hundreds of kids in Boston in the daylight.
Spotlight stands on the shoulders of its brilliant cast helmed by Mark Ruffalo and Michael Keaton, with flawless supporting stands from Rachel McAdams, Stanley Tucci, Liev Schreiber and Brian d'Arcy James.
The music and editing is impeccable. Tom McCarthy responsibly brings out the best from the entire team. I especially liked the way the ad hominem tone gradually transmutated into a single agenda to stand up against the entire institution. This is what the ethics of journalism should be all bout. The journalists of the 2001 Spotlight team are undoubtedly iconic figures in the field and Spotlight pays a humble tribute in letting the world know about what they did. It isn't surprising that many people are unaware of this movie before the Oscar win. I watched it just before Oscar and re-watched it again. There were simply too many moments to ponder upon. This is a movie with a limited scope in its locations and themes but every casual dialogue seems to remind you of the deep shadow lurking behind religion.
There is a scene where Brian d'Arcy James posts a warning notice on his fridge for his kids. It is haunting once you think what a father goes through amidst all this. Content in its compact yet powerful produce, Spotlight is the best film 2015 has produced. And I am sorry but I think that the Best Supporting Actor Oscar should have gone to Mark Ruffalo.
"How do you say no to God?"