Spotlight

Der Film sah genau so aus, wie ich erwartet habe. Super geschrieben, die Zuschauer*innen gehen trotz vielen Namen und Figuren nicht verloren. Die Informationen werden so dosiert, dass der Film dadurch präzise gesteigert wird. Die Schauspieler*innen genießen die Rollen so, als ob es sich um das wichtigste Theaterspiel ihrer Karriere handeln würde. Umso mehr tut es mir leid, dass seine Figuren nur die Rolle von investigativen Journalisten erfüllen, aber keiner von ihnen zu dem untersuchten Subjekt eine engere Beziehung hat. Aber es stimmt wiederum, dass mit ihr der Film ein ausgeklügelter Thriller wäre, worum es Spotlight nicht geht. Spotlight bleibt den echten Begebenheiten treu, er erweist eine mutige Ehre den richtigen Journalisten-Helden und äußert sich vor allem zu einem verdammt ernsten Thema. Dass er politisch daran nichts ändert und in ein paar Jahren in Vergessenheit gerät – das ist schon eine andere Geschichte. (15.04.2016)

As the hours pass since watching it, I find it to be better and better, because although the topic tempted tabloid controversy or impartial coverage from both sides, the chosen format of investigative journalistic procedure ultimately suited it best. The film can be accused of being detached and of the absence of the other side's perspective, but the captivated reporters, working on minimally sketched personal levels, are so fascinating that it is hard to accuse them of anything else. The only flaw I actually see is the "wannabe Fincher style," where they go for precise camera axes and the targeted coldness is too tight at times, not intrinsically lively. In any case, investigative journalists could not have asked for a better compliment; the painstaking work, the fact-checking, and the willingness not to go after the headlines are actually admirable. (16.02.2016)

Crime investigation is surely an interesting thing, but once the movie is based solely on that (and there’s far too much talking, too) then it’s really hard to get into it. However, I must admit that Mark Ruffalo was absolutely unparalleled. I liked him the most out of the list of interesting actors. And the story? It’s almost unbelievable. It’d be different if it were a single person, but a whole group of people? And the end credits with the list of churches all around the world that were involved in this prove that it isn’t just an American issue. That makes it even more terrifying… (29.02.2016)

Procedural minimalist journalistic drama par excellence, which is about journalism and journalists as much as about the topic of that coverage. In a way, it's a movie coverage, how an honest investigative coverage is made, rather than a journalistic thriller that you might have expected based on what the coverage is about and what it reveals. With few exceptions proving the rule, no room for background or personal issues. Only a few months of obtaining source after source, confirming the credibility of sources, documents, statistics, statements, spending endless hours in the archives, and gradually completing the puzzle piece by piece until a complete disturbing picture emerges. Whoever likes this way of brief portraying things where the events are observed from distance, will clearly enjoy it. It called for being captured and build purely on that case, to focus more on the emotions or the priests, the Church and the victims, and the genre rules of the journalistic thriller could be respected, but there are other movies to do this job. And it is precisely this seeming impartiality and civility that makes it even more impressive and, as a result, more disturbing, as only the simple facts can do, and how it could have never been achieved by too emotional movie. (06.01.2016)

I just have a soft spot for these chamber dramas. Especially when I feel like I'm not wasting my time watching them because it gives me something. Whether it's quality entertainment or new knowledge. More films like this and I'll like that American cinema a lot more. The actors act because they have something to act. And that's the best part. (06.03.2016)

It is not without reason that is cinema called the factory of dreams. We expect from it a spectacle, action, excitement, tension, and a trip to a place where an ordinary mortal will never, or even want to, reach. Spotlight goes against all these trends and offers unexpectedly civil acting, investigation devoid of all the usual thriller clichés, and shows journalism as it probably actually takes place. i.e., as a tedious gathering of facts, persuading for interviews, and simply routine work. Essentially any profession that you strip of its cinematic glamour suddenly looks terribly ordinary. Detectives don't run around on rooftops and neutralize villains, and spies don't eliminate enemies by the dozen. Spotlight represents that significantly smaller face of American cinema, which studios usually send to film festivals. And in the case of Spotlight, those festival laurels are well-deserved. I do wonder how the audience's support would turn out if it were not such a scandalous case, but oh well. These journalists don't stand against the machinery of a powerful corporation or a corrupt politician who sends deadly squads against them, but even so, strong emotions are felt. Spotlight offers a display of great acting talents, but this time the stars subdued their egos and didn't showcase themselves, but rather their characters. For me, I give it a thumbs up but I don't feel like giving it a fifth star because, although it may sound sacrilegious, Spotlight strips off the cinematic glamour so much that in some parts, its depiction of reality becomes boring. Overall impression: 80%. (07.05.2016)

Slow and painstaking work revealing fundamental information, terrifying facts. Great acting performances, top-notch directing. Spotlight is one of those movies that beat the competition with their ordinariness and succinctness. Keaton and Ruffalo are perfect. Strong on detail. (11.02.2016)

Cheap, economical and yet A-grade filmmaking, which is what Hollywood is all about. Spotlight isn't about emotions, it's about facts, hence the Oscars. A great thing and the biggest drawback for the viewer, as this two-hour procedural is a bit monotonous, tiresome and impersonal in places. On the other hand, the issues it covers and the testimonials it leaves are unprecedented, almost demonic, and a clear indication that the church is first class crap. (14.05.2016)

I don’t know what else to ask for. A masterfully written and brilliantly directed topical story that does not deviate for a moment from its established narrative pace and presents its shocking content to the uninitiated consumer in such an authentic and gripping way that they immediately want to take up investigative journalism by day and shoot horny priests in their private chambers by night. Plus the great protagonists, whose character is (rightly) sketched out only peripherally as part of the investigation process, but whose performances I could have easily endured two hours longer, all the way to the lecherous gates of the seemingly untouchable Vatican... 90% (20.01.2016)

Incredible surprise in how the film is shot with great performances, where the actors do not unnecessarily draw attention to themselves, but play in a way that highlights an incredibly strong theme, which shows the corruption of society, primarily American, and its incorporation of faith into life. But this can also be applied to other topics. If any film deserves an Oscar, it is "Spotlight". (08.02.2016)

An investigative conversation film par excellence. An ambitious and confident work that must make all Catholic priests clench their asses (sorry). But lest this be mistaken for ugly cynicism, there were two tremendously moving moments where not one of my eyes remained dry. I don't like generalizations and collective assignment of blame to any group, because almost everything is about specific people in the first place. So, although I’m a resolved atheist, I don't condemn faith or religion as a whole, but "only" their institutions. For these have failed in the first place and are only made up of people anyway. Spotlight is an extremely important film, given the seriousness of the subject matter, and it's terribly good that it was made. "Don't thank me, just get these assholes, will ya?" (21.12.2017)

Rather than brutal criticism of the Catholic Church (which deserves nothing but contempt in this case), Spotlight is an example of absolutely professional investigative journalism that is unbiased and always looking for the truth no matter how terrible. Above all, it shows journalists who not only wait until they have the full story, but, most importantly, thoroughly verify and confirm their sources, which is extremely rare today. “If it's on the Internet, then it must be true.” (George Washington) (07.02.2016)