Spotlight (2015)

In 2001, The Boston Globe newspaper gets a new editor (Liev Schreiber), an outsider from Miami and Jewish unlike the most of the staff which are native to the city and Catholic. When he proposes that a special unit of reporters follow up on a story on sexual abuse on children by Catholic priests, he has no idea of the far reaching implications of and the effect it will have on the city. Based on actual events (The Boston Globe won a Pulitzer for their story), this is the best movie of its kind since ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN (1976). As the reporting team gather their evidence and meet resistance from both the perpetrators and their victims as well as the Catholic church itself, the film almost plays out like a thriller. The actor turned director Tom McCarthy (THE STATION AGENT), who co-wrote the screenplay, doesn't push. Rather than go the Stanley Kramer route and go for the obvious, he gives us little moments, real moments that when added up combine to make a potent film. The ensemble cast is perfect all the way down to the tiniest of parts. Michael Keaton as the head of the "spotlight" team follows up last year's BIRDMAN with another award worthy performance. Strong stuff and be prepared to be outraged. The excellent cast includes Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, Stanley Tucci, Brian D'Arcy James, John Slattery, Billy Crudup, Jamey Sheridan and Len Cariou.