MovieChat Forums > Doubt (2008) Discussion > The Inappropriate Hug in the Hall Way

The Inappropriate Hug in the Hall Way

posted 14 years ago by ILikeDirt420
35 replies | jump to latest

anybody would have to admit, that hug was awkward and weird and infront of everybody. i think that something was going on between the priest and the boy.

[–] easyguy14215 13 years ago

Everything's dirty to a dirty mind.

[–] ronnoco28 12 years ago

I don't think Fr. Flynn's hugging Donald in the corridor was the right thing to do, but it isn't evidence of pedophilia. Fr. Flynn felt sorry about turning away from Donald a few seconds earlier, and hugged him to express his understanding and sympathy for him, he knew it was probably what Donald was expecting. Nevertheless, it probably wasn't a good thing to do. It separated Donald from the rest of the kids in the school. It would have been better to have just patted him on the back, made a friendly comment to show empathy, and helped him pack up his spilled belongings.

It's really hard to know what should be done about Billy London's bullying of Donald. He shouldn't be allowed to get away with it. But if Billy is punished or reprimanded, he might react by retaliating against Donald, whom he knows he can bully and dominate, as long as authority figures are unaware of it.

[–] gabby_bm 12 years ago

Fr Flynn was probably accustomed to giving and receiving hugs with many students in his congregation. Things were different back then. These days a dad hugging his own daughter is met with the eyes of scrutiny.

My "#3" key is broken so I'm putting one here so i can cut & paste with it.

[–] Duchess89 12 years ago

I thought that was sweet and paternalistic-like the father he never had, I am surprised that people would look at something like that as creepy, sexual or weird.

Don't play it down Mickel, that won't work.
Don't play it up, that won't work either.

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] cordellvh 11 years ago

let me start by saying i would never go near a catholic church and would certainly never allow my child to come in any contact with ANY clergy person. churches are dangerous and mega-creepy places. the catholic church spends millions of donated dollars to fight its own abuse victims in court. that being said, my personal opinion based on the context of the film, is that the hug in the hallway was NOT inappropriate. and sister james was NOT horrified when she saw it. on the contrary, she was confounded and ultimately inspired by the display of compassion and comfort and was keen to note that the boy was not cringing in fear during the embrace. the scene was meant to demonstrate how the rumors and insinuations sister james had just been confronted with did not match real, observable accounts. the look on her face told me that she was doubting all the horrible accusations and was aware of the damage they can cause. she is torn apart trying to resolve these conflicting forces. i'd also like to say that i hope any viewer who thinks they "know" one way or another the guilt of the priest never ever serves on a jury! the film is deliberately ambiguous and never reveals if he was guilty or not. anyone who "knows" is making assumptions based on personal prejudices. it scares me a little when i see the priest condemned in this forum, just as sister A did in the film.

[–] Grimaldi_J_B 10 years ago

Growing up in Catholic schools, I was hugged and comforted several times by Fathers and there was never any inappropriate behavior from any of the priests that I knew. I saw nothing strange about it.

[–] frogca 8 years ago

I was raised Catholic and went to a Catholic school mostly taught by nuns in the early years. This would have been in the 1960s, about the same time as this movie, judging by the car models in the street scenes.

I have never seen a priest hug or touch anyone. I know they do, though, because that's why my mother removed my brother from being an altar boy. Yes, the typical cliche as hinted in this movie.