Honestly, for most of the film, my likes and dislikes for the two main characters were completely one-sided. The nun played by Meryl is mostly conventional, rude, and inhuman. Because of all sorts of dislikes for Father Flynn, he decided that he was a child molester under the circumstances that the facts were unclear. And Father Flynn seems to be the spokesman of freedom and humanity under the outdated Catholic system, a bit similar to the role of the teacher in the Dead Poets Society, which makes people irresistible, subconsciously not believing that he will have such a dark side.
Until the last scene, seeing the old nun who has been reinforced and iron-boned take off her armor, she burst into tears because of the outbreak of doubts in her heart. This abrupt ending makes the character of the old nun a real and complete "person", and also echoes Father Flynn's preaching earlier, making the whole film fall steadily back to the theme of Doubt in a secret and restrained way.
I think there is no need to discuss the question of abuse or not, the countless details and hints make this question reasonable. The film did not intend to give a clear fact, abuse or no abuse, winning or losing, right or wrong is irrelevant, the important thing is the process of generating doubt and self-redemption. The old nun's hard armor came from the belief that wherever that belief came from and went, it gave her strength and sleep every night. When this belief collapsed, self-doubt, weakness and guilt came together, and there was the scene of the old nun crying. My understanding of Catholicism is limited, and I dare not speak falsely. And the crisis of belief among the general public has also spread from the West to the East, affecting several generations. In this era of abundant information, no matter religion or politics, it is difficult to continue the unshakable mythological image, and the all-encompassing absolute truth has become a legend. Compared with the simple and diligent youth of our fathers, the post-80s generation is destined to spend a longer time in our youth and even in our lives to doubt and search.
Going back to Father Flynn's sermon at the beginning of the film: "Many of the people who come to church today know all about what I just called a crisis of faith. I want to tell you: As a connection, doubt can be as powerful as certainty. When you're lost You are not alone." (There're those of you in church today who know exactly the crisis of faith I described. And I want to say to you, doubt as a bond can be as powerful and sustaining as certainty. When you are lost, you are not alone.)
The role of that young nun is like every ordinary one we have ever experienced or are experiencing. She is inexperienced in the world, kind-hearted, and has faith in her heart, but she is so confused in the face of complex reality that she is tossing and turning. sleepless. In the last scene, she saw the old nun burst into tears, first showing a look of surprise, then stepping forward to hold the old nun's hand and resting her head on her lap.
When you are lost, you are not alone. It's for the point.
PS I still don't like this movie very much. It's too suffocating viewing experience, and the theme clues are always dodging. The wonderful performances of several protagonists make the lengthy storyline feel more form than content.
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