An awards season movie that actually lives up to the hype

Rating: 9/10 (16 February 2016)

Spotlight tells the story of a team at the Boston Globe who uncovered a sex abuse scandal involving Catholic priests in Boston, and this would eventually lead to a much wider scandal. Spotlight is a very minimalistic film; dialogue driven, subtly directed and almost documentary style. Most of the film is just people talking, but it's a ruthlessly absorbing film more thrilling than many thrillers and more horrifying than most horror films. Although it's very low key, it's a strong, hard-hitting and deeply powerful tale, brought to life with excellent acting and Tom McCarthy's superbly stripped down direction. Spotlight is not just a movie. It's life. It's a real event, populated with human characters which doesn't resort to manipulation, pyrotechnics, emotional breakdowns or a load of shouting. A very worthy, engrossing and fittingly affecting drama, this actually lives up to the Oscar hype for once. It's probably too low key to win Best Picture, but I'd have no complaints if it did.
9/10