deep and moving

Kaitlyn 2022-04-23 07:01:06


The story itself is no longer news. The film does not focus on the molestation of children by missionaries. Instead, it tells the story of the spotlight group's tracking process from a common news to a very big news. The whole bgm of the movie is very peaceful and low, just to tell the audience that these are not some special cases, but the stories that happened around you. Even on the day the final article is published, the editors appear not to have revenge, justice, or relief, but rather as if their work has just begun. Yes, the director just wanted to tell you that things are not over yet.

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Extended Reading

Spotlight quotes

  • Walter 'Robby' Robinson: You know thirteen priests in Boston who have molested children?

    Phil Saviano: Yeah! Why do you keep repeating everything I say?

    Walter 'Robby' Robinson: [quieter than before] I just like to clarify things.

    Phil Saviano: Maybe you should have clarified it five years ago when I sent you all of this stuff! It's all... right here!

    [silence, Phil composes himself]

    Phil Saviano: May I use your bathroom?

    [pause]

    Matt Carroll: Yeah, sure, Phil.

  • Mitchell Garabedian: Three years ago I get a call from an ex-priest, Anthony Benzovich. He was at Blessed Sacrament back in '62, and he saw Geoghan...

    [waits for two cops to pass by, then continues]

    Mitchell Garabedian: ... taking little boys up to the rectory bedroom. So he's appalled, all right? And tells the bishop about it. The bishop threatens to re-assign him... to South America.

    Mike Rezendes: Jesus.

    Mike Rezendes: Yeah. So, fast forward thirty-five years. Benzovich reads that Geoghan has been charged with molesting hundreds of kids. So, he feels guilty. He calls me.

    Mike Rezendes: So, you have testimony of a priest telling his superiors about Geoghan in '62?

    Mitchell Garabedian: [shakes his head] No, I do not. Because when I call Benzovich in to give a disposition, he comes in with a lawyer.

    Mike Rezendes: Wilson Rogers!

    Mitchell Garabedian: Right. And suddenly, Father Benzovich has a very foggy memory. Can't remember anything. He's useless. So, I go back to work, I forget about it, whatever. Until about a year ago, I find an article about a priest who warned church officials about Geoghan.

    Mike Rezendes: Benzovich went to the press?

    Mitchell Garabedian: Yeah. Local paper, Patriot-Ledger. Nobody saw it. But now I got Benzovich on record. So, I file a motion to depose Benzovich a second time. And Wilson Rogers, that smug son of a bitch, files a motion opposing my motion. And that's when I have him.

    Mike Rezendes: Have him how?

    Mitchell Garabedian: Rogers opposes my motion, so I have to make an argument as to why I'm allowed to depose Father Benzovich a second time. Okay? But this time, I'm allowed to attach exhibits. You follow what I'm saying?

    Mike Rezendes: The sealed documents?

    Mitchell Garabedian: Yes! I can attach the sealed documents that I've gotten in discovery, Mr. Rezendes, the same documents your paper is currently suing for.

    Mike Rezendes: You're shitting me!

    Mitchell Garabedian: What? No, no, I'm not shitting you! So, I pull out the fourteen most damning docs, and I attach them to my motion. And they prove everything. Everything! About the church, about the bishops, about Law...

    Mike Rezendes: And it's all public! Because your motion to oppose Rogers' motion...

    Mitchell Garabedian: ...is public, yeah. Exactly. Now you're paying attention.

    Mike Rezendes: So, I can just walk into that courtroom right now and get those documents?

    Mitchell Garabedian: No, you cannot. Because the documents are not there.

    Mike Rezendes: But you just said they're public.

    Mitchell Garabedian: I know I did. But this is Boston. And the church does not want them to be found. So, they are not there.