Showcasing the Power of Journalism

The Nation
December 29, 2015

http://nation.com.pk/blogs/29-Dec-2015/spotlight-showcasing-the-power-of-journalism

In 2003, the Globe Spotlight team, an investigative unit of Boston Globe won the journalism’s most distinguished prize – the Pulitzer Prize for its fearless and wide-ranging coverage of child abuse and molestation by Catholic priests and the systemic cover-up by Church. The series of investigative reporting of horrific crime penetrated clandestineness and silence behind the criminality, stimulated regional and global reaction and created an atmosphere for massive changes within the Church by telling the truth.

The seasoned director, writer and actor Tom McCarthy’s new directorial work Spotlight follows the true story of Boston Globe’s investigative journalistic team’s audacious reportage of gigantic sexual scandal, shielded by Catholic Church during a three–decade spree. The powerful journalistic docudrama concentrates on the approach of who done it, exposing the huge scale machination, probing the elements of power and sovereignty, exploitation and secrecy. Not only that, it also explores psychology of victimhood – the emotional trauma and desolation victims had to endure throughout their life.

It all begins in 2001 when new editor-in-chief Marty Baron, played by Liev Schreiber, recruits the Spotlight crew to look into allegations of child abuse by one local pedophile priest. The Spotlight squad – Michael Rezendes (Mark Ruffalo), Sacha Pfeiffer (Rachel McAdams) and Matt Carroll (Brian d’Arcy James) led by editor Walter Robinson (Michael Keaton) - started probing the issue deeply, soon it becomes evident that disturbing scandal and settlements are actually happening within Catholic Church.

As their investigation progresses from one to few and finally to dozens of egregious cases of molestation and immorality, the courageous reporters struggled to follow the root-cause of out of court settlements, involvement of lawyers and massive corruption plague in the system, as editor Robinson declares:

“We got two stories here: a story about degenerate clergy, and a story about a bunch of lawyers turning child abuse into a cottage industry…”

Although, the movie is based on a real life sex scandal of church, the director makes it clear to the spectators throughout the two hours plot that it is not about church bashing. It is not against an individual but the entire system. It draws attention to the obligation of ethical journalism – to fearlessly uncover the truth and secrecy behind such ugly stories and to serve the public in greater interest.

The gripping screenplay by McCarthy and Josh Singer highlighted the traumatic nature of such incidents in a very subtle manner. The well weaved plot intelligently indicated the horrible effects of childhood sexual abuse and how it manipulates human behaviour, for instance, inability to lead normal life as a result of mental health and long-term trust issues. One of the best lines of the script delivered by one of the victims demonstrates that such emotional scars run deep;

“They say it's just physical abuse but it's more than that, this was spiritual abuse. You know why I went along with everything? Because priests, are supposed to be the good guys…”

It is a nerve–racking intense story and an exceptional newsroom chronicle that tries to uncover the unsavory news-story without any tempering of sensationalism. Dedicated to the importance of journalism, it showed the character and responsibilities of real reporters who not only care about their job of presenting a worthy story but who do care about truthfulness and justice as well. Its main theme is assiduousness for the benefit of a moral obligation.

McCarthy averts amalgamating aesthetic add-ons into his mild plot, in its place he depended on a refined, honest and frank methodology to present script’s hectic proceedings. It's not glitzy, only ethically devoted.

All performances are wonderful. The stellar cast Keaton, Ruffalo, McAdams, and Brian d’Arcy James presented the excellence of emotionally supported acting styles moviegoers expected from them as seasoned performers. Keaton as an exhausted editor bolstered the fellow actors with his timely sarcastic slapstick and swift intelligence. Extravagant and forceful Ruffalo is spectacularly fidgety and self-motivated as one of Spotlight’s investigative reporters.

All in all, Spotlight is not a glamorous, nor is it spicy, sensational piece of work. It is an inspiring documentary style thought-provoking disturbing story with a handful of surprises but absolutely no critical up and downs. With all its aching, agony and perseverance, McCarthy’s meticulous and realistic 128 minutes journalism docudrama is well-written, well-crafted and well-acted anecdote - you genuinely feel the events are happening in front of your eyes. The eccentric mortality of the reporters keeps you engrossed and conscious of the risks.

In my opinion, Spotlight will be a favourite for Oscars Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay category for covering a dark subject with factual detail without exaggeration.

I would rate it a 4.5 out of 5 stars. Highly recommended!