I went back and forth honestly it was like one moment I thought he's guilt the next innocent so it's difficult
shareSo you had doubt. That's what the movie does. I thought he wasn't a good man. I wouldn't want him around me or my family.
meg.
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When I watched Doubt the first time, I thought it was unclear. I re-watched it recently and came to MY conclusion that Flynn was guilty.
Several reasons, starting with his behavior -
Flynn flying into a rage when he wasn't directly accused of anything, his haughtiness and preaching style, his superiority complex and sense of entitlement. Depicting himself as a victim when it suits him and a saviour in other instances. Flynn trying hard to be seen as a 'good guy' and popular among students and parishioners, so no one would believe gossip about him. His use of charm to win over the vulnerable or naive, like Donald and Sister James.
William London's reaction to Flynn whenever in his presence.
Flynn putting Donald's undershirt into Donald's locker which means Donald was undressed while with Flynn.
Flynn seducing Donald with gifts and attention.
Donald's demeanor after seeing Flynn and the alcohol incident.
Flynn being at his 3rd school in 5 yrs and now because of Sister Aloysius accusations, his 4th.
After Sister Aloysius bluffed Flynn that she spoke with a nun at his last school, he hastily leaves which points to guilt, imo. In 1960's, when he was protected by the clergy, he had nothing to fear, so I believe the past accounts were very credible and easy to prove, thus to dangerous for him to remain.
Great analysis. I agree. It was interesting you mentioned williams reaction to flynn when flynn announced his resignation will smirked it was like two seconds but he smirked when flynn said he was leaving.
shareWilliam London's reaction to Flynn whenever in his presence.
Flynn flying into a rage when he wasn't directly accused of anything,
We're all guessing here but I have a strong aversion to the idea that Flynn is gay. Imo, he is NOT gay. His fear is of being exposed as a lover of pre-teen boys (children), not of men.
The clergy are aware of his perversion and that's why he is moved on. If he had relationships with other men, he could go on for years without fear of exposure. It was actually common and condoned if kept quiet. It is hard to imagine that Flynn on 3 occasions in 5 years, being found out for indulging in sex with another man. That I don't believe for a second.
London bullying Donald could be his reaction to Donald accepting willingly in his eyes, attention from Flynn. Of course, it's still bullying but London imo, wants to isolate Flynn, that he will never be one of the guys, that's why he was happy about Flynn leaving. London is sickened by Flynn and Donald's relationship.
If he had relationships with other men, he could go on for years without fear of exposure. It was actually common and condoned if kept quiet.
But do you think flynn was abusing william london because of the way he acted.
shareNot guilty.
'Ne cherchez plus mon coeur, les bêtes l'ont mangé.' Baudelaire
Definitely guilty of pederasty and taking advantage of his power and position. He cares for his congregation and believes his sins are forgivable and should be overlooked because of his deep compassion and the good he thinks he can do. Sister Aloysius is too street smart for his sort of new age baloney and she wants him removed - because he's not good for pubescent boys and she is quite certain about it. (She's a hero in that sense). Her doubt was not about Fr. Flynn taking improper liberties with boys, for she established that certainty in her mind, it's doubt about the way she went about doing things. She has doubts about how far she took things. Her final admission of doubt surprised me.
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