MovieChat Forums > Spotlight (2015) Discussion > Great Tale of Investigating Reporting

Great Tale of Investigating Reporting

posted 8 years ago by awrobel
4 replies | jump to latest

Can't think of another film other than "All the President's Men" than was comparable in scope. The impact was enormous and for it to have begun in Boston, an Irish Catholic town, made it all the more extraordinary. The Boston Globe much like Washington Post were instrumental in taking down a systemic problem, but in this case one that was globally in nature. Those who seem to find fault in the film might have been put off by its complexity. The movie was not short on delving into all the details and threads of the investigation. I often found myself playing back portions of the film to get a handle on what was going on. All in all, I found it to be a very interesting and absorbing film.

[–] Raging-Bullwinkle 8 years ago

Yeah, I really eat this kind of movie up. Enjoyed it very much.
If you haven't seen it, you might want to check out Zodiac (2007). Also based on actual events, it's a good investigative flick that takes place over many years. It's a bit dark, but I found the dogged, obsessive determination of the main protagonist (an excellent Jake Gyllenhaal) to be downright contagious. Like Spotlight, it even has Mark Ruffalo in it.

[–] ween-3 7 years ago

Solid film and performances....but I felt as if I'd seen it before.....and "All The President's Men" is why. Kinda tough to make a picture about investigative journalism without using that movie as the blueprint. The subject matter is different, but the process of getting the story remains the same. So yeah, awrobel. Couldn't avoid comparison shopping "President's Men" while watching "Spotlight".

[–] eddieinportland 7 years ago

"The subject matter is different, but the process of getting the story remains the same."

Well it's not just getting the story. But just like in "All The President's Men." They had to make sure that all of the facts in the story were correct.

Just like in "All The President's Men." In "Spotlight" we see the reporters and their editors going over the story and make sure that the fact were correct. Because if one fact was wrong. It would have given the church a way out.

[–] Rolltide (964) 3 years ago

Agree with the OP. One of the best films of it's kind. The film avoids being overly political or emotional. They take some cheap shots at the Catholic church but they are few.