SPOTLIGHT

Parag Kaushik(16102188)

Introduction: This is a comprehensive review of the movie spotlight written and

directed by actor Tom McCarthy .His work , acclaimed by the audience
across the globe for which he won the academy award for best original
screenplay .The director born and raised in catholic background produced
motion against his own belief system which from an audience’s
perspective is commendable. The cast, well suited and was smooth and
empathetic.

Summary: The movie is based on a real life story in Boston,US. The movie starts
with a backdrop of 1980s and talks about parish system and highlights their
control over the locality, which is challenged by local news daily THE
BOSTON GLOBE .A renowned team of reporters namely SPOTLIGHT tries
to investigate deeper into serious but suppressed case of child molestation
by the priests and the archdiocese negligence in taking action. They have
hard time finding solid proofs as victims feel hesitant to come up because
of the smothering presence of the parish community. The story kicks into
climax as later it is revealed that the leader of spotlight was once provided
with all sufficient evidences to prove the parish system’s guilt but didn’t
shake many branches. Nevertheless they unite and decide to the right thing
and end their control once and for all .As they start the motion through
their newspaper ,amazingly so more and more victims joined in and shared
their experiences. As much as 300 priests in Boston were claimed of
misconduct and over 1,000 survivors existed. Finally they filed a suit against
the archdiocese claiming negligence and overlook, which resulted in
resignation of Cardinal Law (Archbishop) and was relocated as Archpriest of
the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.

Which reflected how this wasn’t just confined to Boston but there was fully
fledged system functioning around the globe.
Analysis: The director’s way of highlighting the disorder of Boston was quite
remarkable as observed at (2:39) in the movie when a working police office
casually lit up a cigarette in the station premise while having a client at his
disposal.

Scenes at different intervals were constructed to reinforce the idea of parish

control and power over the population. One of many which highlighted the idea
was when one of reporters was refused to view legally public documents as
sealed just because those documents could act key in their case against the
church.

Another incident in which the reporters and one of the lawyers who fought for
the church had a dialogue revealed that the settlements between the parties
occurred without any litigation. This reflects how church made sure to maintain a
clean slate and also negligence at lawyer’s part for not coming forward with these
chain of events, which could have stopped further misconducts.

The priests were referred to as gods. It was observed as many of the victims tried
to justify them saying “I was frozen, I felt trapped ,I had to do it because it felt the
god himself asked for it”.

Priests used measure like emotions, friendship and loyalty to manipulate them
and in turn molest and rape them. They victims were physically, mentally and
spiritually abused, emphasis on spiritually as their whole belief system was
challenged due to this. In an interview with priest Pacquin , he admittedly said
“Yes, I fooled around with kids but I didn’t rape any”, claiming he was raped when
he was a kid saying there was a difference.

Methodology of spotlight to target the whole system and not just the priest was
key. They believed ,as the words of the chief editor “This is not limited to a single
priest but the system goes top to down”.
Movie was unable to put forward the consequences of their revolution against
the parish and as facts support the parish later took drastic measure for
correction which were not mentioned in the movie thereby tainting their image.

Creative Elements: Movie starts with an interconnection of events which brings

about anticipation in the observer. The tone of 1980s working class,
westernization, loose clothes, active subscription of print media were some
noticeable elements in the movie. The movie had this thrillingly anticipating aura
wherein the some righteous reporters,DAs,and lawyers collectively oppose the
parish in a place where they are the people’s choice.

Conclusion: The movie talks about the clash between parish community and the
righteous journalists. Not just another protagonist Vs antagonist, but every
character in the movie was key in order to highlight the gravity of the situation.
The movie talks about the unbiased nature of media and tries to make the
observer believe the same. Also the director did not mention any of the steps
taken by the parish after this incident, wherein from a neutral ground there
should be a mention. A lot of political drama with a tinge of reality makes up for
a tasty combination.