“Sometimes it’s easy to forget that we spend most of our time stumbling around the dark. Suddenly, a light gets turned on and there’s a fair share of blame to go around. I can’t speak to what happened before I arrived, but all of you have done some very good reporting here. Reporting that I believe is going to have an immediate and considerable impact on our readers. For me, this kind of story is why we do this.”
Release Date: November 20th, 2015
Netflix: Available to stream on the date of this review being published: January 21st, 2018.
Genre: Crime, History, Drama
MPAA: 14A
I decided to review Spotlight as I watched it again right after I saw The Post (2018). I was in the mood for that back-to-back based on true event stories that are based around journalists and reporters and newspapers. I also realized I haven’t reviewed this film yet, and I felt like now that its on Netflix, it would be easier for me to get something written and keep people talking about it. Its also part of this genre I have grown to love more and more with each film.
I didn’t know much about this film to be honest when I first watched it. I try every year around Oscar time to go see every one of the films nominated for best picture, and this I remember that year was the first film I watched out of the nominations. This movie is a very important movie and I’m glad I watched it.
Spotlight is a Crime, History and drama film about the true story of the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core.
Spotlight is directed by Tom McCarthy. His filmography consists of directing two episodes of the Netflix Original Series 13 Reasons Why (2017). I would be quite interesting in watching McCarthy’s other films after watching Spotlight, I thought this film was extremely well made and I thought McCarthy did a very good job with the making of this movie.
Spotlight is written by Tom McCarthy and Josh Singer. Tom McCarthy’s writing filmography consists of Up (2009). Josh Singers writing filmography consists of The Post (2018). I thought this movie was extremely well written and well paced, it had extremely engrossing dialogue.
Spotlight stars Mark Ruffalo as Mike Rezendes, Michael Keaton as Walter “Robby” Robinson, Rachel McAdams as Sacha Pfeiffer, and Liev Schreiber as Marty Baron.
Mark Ruffalo’s filmography consists of: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), 13 Going On 30 (2004), Collateral (2004), Just Like Heaven (2005), Zodiac (2007), Reservation Road (2007), Blindess (2008), Shutter Island (2010), The Avengers (2012), Now You See Me (2013), and Begin Again (2013). I have always enjoyed Mark Ruffalo’s work, I can’t say I have seen a movie I haven’t liked with him in it, I think he is just fantastic and really underrated. I thought he did an amazing job in Spotlight, there were times I genuinely forgot it was him, and I thought I was watching the real Mike Rezendes on screen.
Michael Keaton’s filmography consists of: Beetlejuice (1988), Batman (1989), Batman Returns (1992), Jackie Brown (1997), White Noise (2005), Cars (2006), Toy Story 3 (2010), The Other Guys (2010), Call Of Duty: Black Ops II {Video Game} (2012), RoboCop (2014), Need For Speed (2014), Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance) (2014), The Founder (2016) and Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017). What can I say about Michael Keaton that hasn’t already been said, the man is extremely talented. He can play any role he wants to play, whether thats a super hero, a villain or anywhere in between. Theres no doubt in his ability to captivate audiences with his acting prowess. He was amazing in Spotlight and I have really taken notice more about just how great he is, I’ll watch anything with him in it, at least I would be getting a good performance out of him.
Rachel McAdams’ filmography consists of: Mean Girls (2004), The Notebook (2004), Wedding Crashers (2005), Red Eye (2005), State Of Play (2009), Midnight In Paris (2011), The Vow (2012), About Time (2013), and Southpaw (2015). Rachel McAdams is a lovely actor, she is very very good at what she does, and I believe she can play any role she wants to. She captivated me in her performance in Spotlight.
Liev Schreiber’s filmography consists of: Ransom (1996), Scream (1996), The Omen (2006), Defiance (2008), Repo Men (2010), Goon (2011), and Goon: Last Of The Enforcers (2017). I honestly do not give Schreiber enough credit for his acting ability, I always notice him but it took me until Spotlight to really take notice of his acting ability. I thought he did great in Spotlight, and its definitely my favourite role that he has done so far.
All the acting in this movie is just fantastic, everyone brought their A-game to this very important movie that I think should be seen by everyone.
Theres a reason why this film was nominated for many different awards including 6 Oscars. This film is extremely important, this film captivates you and glues you to the screen from beginning to end, this story that this film tells is a groundbreaking one and I thought this movie did a great job at capturing that. Its a film that I implore you to watch, as it will effect you in many different ways.
I give Spotlight a 5/5, I have watched this movie countless times and I have never gotten bored and I get engulfed every time I throw it on.
Do yourself a favour and check it out on Netflix, you will not be disappointed.
-Andrew
Upcoming reviews:
Katheryn Bigelow’s – Detroit”
Any Oscar related film I haven’t seen yet – Nominations go out January 23rd!