Title: Spotlight
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Tom McCarthy
Starring: Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams
Runtime: 2 hrs 8 mins

What It Is: Spotlight is a section of the Boston Globe that focuses on stories relevant to the community. Far more hard-boiled and investigative than the norm at the Globe. When new editor Marty Baron (Liev Schreiber) comes into town he shakes things up by suggesting the Spotlight team look into allegations against the Catholic church in regards to the molestation of children by its Priest. Being a hugely Catholic town where the church means so much to so many this could prove difficult in Boston. When it seems as if this story may have some teeth it is up to Spotlight lead editor Walter Robinson (Keaton) and his team to dig up the dirtiest of dirt on this filthiest of acts.

What We Think: There are certain stories that stick with you. This is one of those. Not only could you feel sick to your stomach with the despicable acts being alleged by men of the cloth, but when you start to realize this is based on something that really happened it becomes all the more sickening. From a performance standpoint, everyone here brought there freaking A game. Keaton is great, Ruffalo continues to be great, McAdams…she is again great. There isn’t a weak stick in the bundle. Looking at McCarthy’s direction he shows an easy hand. Almost like he let the film breathe in order to best utilize the performances he was getting. With a cast like this, I think any sane director would. McCarthy has proven himself more than capable on several occasions including The Station Agent such an interesting year for him. He has a film being lauded for its excellence while earlier this year he had a film torn apart at the seams in Adam Sandler’s The Cobbler. 

Our Grade: A, What a great story told here. One that was expertly done. Direction, acting, and its script were all super tight and well kept together. I am recommending what I consider one of the year’s best films. Being so well done makes the whole thing shine even brighter. Dealing with such delicate material can be hard, but here it gives us the full scope of just how large this issue is. This is a film that as its name indicates should be in your spotlight as we go into 2016. Look out Oscar this film is coming for you!