'a story about degenerate clergy, and a story about a bunch of lawyers turning child abuse into a cottage industry.'

Rating: 10/10 (25 February 2016)

This city, these people... making the rest of us feel like we don't belong. But they're no better than us. Look at how they treat their children. Mark my words, Mr. Rezendes. If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to abuse one.' In what is likely the finest ensemble film of the year – writers Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy, director Tom McCarthy, a cast of our finest actors – will hopefully gain rewards at the Oscars. But whether the film 'wins' in the badly bruised Oscar category or not, this film will remain a focal point of cinematic achievement for many years.
The plot is well known: The true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core. When the Boston Globe's tenacious "Spotlight" team of reporters delves into allegations of abuse in the Catholic Church, their year-long investigation uncovers a decades-long cover-up at the highest levels of Boston's religious, legal, and government establishment, touching off a wave of revelations around the world.
Everyone in the cast is superlative (including Brian d'Arcy James who is oddly missing form mention of the cast members) – Michael Keaton (whose character Robby provides the surprise ending), Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, Live Schreiber, Stanley Tucci, John Slattery, Billy Crudup et al. The dialogue is crisp and very intelligent, and the pacing is breathtaking. Superb film worth of everyone's attention.