Doubt
Unironically for the movie title, the film did leave me with much doubt. First of all, I'd love to credit the storytelling and narrative of this movie by showing each character's version of the truth. We are not given the whole truth on the matter, thus leaving us like the characters whom have nothing to do but to trust and doubt. Trust and doubt themselves, others, and the evidences they have found.
Starting off with Sister James, I like to think that there is a thin line that borders innocence and ignorance that Sister James often toes upon. Her innocence to trust and be doubtless of the children which branches to her opinion on Father Flynn's actions. While I agree with Father Flynn that such innocence is commendable—to look at the world and see only the good in people—I wholeheartedly think that her attitude shows more ignorance than innocence further on in the film.
I believe that there is goodness inside each and every person I meet, but as human beings, we are impure. It is in human nature to want to be good, yet we are unable to attain true purity no matter how hard we try. Innocence is to believe and trust the goodness in each person. Ignorance is to only acknowledge the light while ignoring the dark.
I find it ironic how Sister James was the first to notice the difference in Donald's behavior and the effect Father Flynn has on it which turns to her utmost belief in his innocence towards the end. While the idea of his harassment was unfathomable to her at first, she became doubtless of her view on the matter.
Sister Aloysius was seen to be very doubtless on the matter. She didn't have much evidence but her gut feeling was enough to convict him of his crime. I once heard that our gut feeling is our unconscious seeing the small details our conscious minds are yet to take notice of. Gut feelings are neither senses nor guesses, they are the small details we see inside a chaotic picture that we are yet to be consciously aware of.
For the majority of the film, Sister Aloysius was (or was seen as) convinced that Father Flynn was guilty. She even brought up calling the nun of his past parish to reveal his acts. Even if she had made no such call, Father Flynn's reaction was enough to further convince her that something was wrong. It was a shocker to be revealed in the end that she did, in fact, have doubts.
Before I move to Father Flynn, I want to think about Mrs. Miller. I understand that being a mother is one, if not the hardest, role a woman can choose. Being the only black kid in school and probably the neighborhood, I understand how hard it must have been for their family. I also understand her want to give the best opportunity for her son; She wants to be able to offer the best life she can for her son and rightfully so. Her strong desire for his success and acceptance had driven her to play a blind eye to the possible abuse this man could have been doing to her son. I don't support her actions of seeing abuse as acceptance for his son and his sexuality, but I can't say I don't blame her.
Lastly, Father Flynn, who portrayed the perfect amount of being doubtful and doubtless. He seemed doubtless of his innocence, while simultaneously being doubtful of Sister Aloysius finding the truth. Even when he left the parish, the viewers are still left with doubt as to whether he is innocent or guilty of his crimes. Such a wonderfully written and carefully crafted film.