Set in Boston and based on a true story, an important new film tackles the world of investigative journalism with an all-star cast. Time Warner Cable News film critic Neil Rosen filed the following review of “Spotlight.”
In 2001, the investigative unit at The Boston Globe worked tirelessly on one single story for over a year, exposing over 100 pedophile priests in the Boston area and the massive cover up by the Catholic Church.
The story emanated from The Globe’s brand new editor-in-chief, Marty Baron, played by Liev Schreiber.
Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo and Rachel McAdams portray just a few of the people who worked on this explosive story that won the Pulitzer Prize.
Writer/director Tom McCarthy made a riveting film that explored how the process of investigative journalism works.
He focused on the many obstacles that these reporters had to face in bringing this story to light, from the powerful local Archdiocese to the victims, most of whom were initially reluctant to talk.
Stanley Tucci, John Slattery, and Brian d’Arcy James were also on-hand, and the performances by the entire cast were first-rate.
It was a brilliant, absorbing film, in a similar vein to “All the President’s Men.” And even though we know the outcome in advance, it still managed to be extremely suspenseful, as we watch this diligent team of journalists follow leads, dig for facts, and authenticate what they’ve been told.
In the process, the Boston Globe “Spotlight” team did everything in their power to get it right so they can inform their readers—half of whom are Catholic—of the uncomfortable truth.
Neil Rosen’s Big Apple Rating:
Four Apples