Spotlight movie quotes tell the true story of the investigative journalism team of the same name at the Boston Globe whose coverage of the Catholic molestation scandal earned the publication a Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 2003. The drama was written by Josh Singer and Thomas McCarthy, the latter of which also directed. After appearing at several film festivals, Spotlight opened in theaters on November 6, 2015.
In Spotlight, when the the Boston Globe's investigative team, Spotlight, learns that Catholic priests in the Boston area have been accused of molting children, they spring into action to research and report upon the topic. Led by team leader Walter "Robby" Robinson (Michael Keaton), Sacha Pfeiffer (Rachel McAdams), Michael Rezendes (Mark Ruffalo) and others open a growing can of worms in the process, all while under the supervision of Globe editor Marty Baron (Live Schreiber) and deputy managing editor Ben Bradlee, Jr. (John Slattery).
The more they learn, the more the team finds completely indefensible. Not only was there widespread molestation in Boston and around the world, but they learn that the Catholic Church was aware of it and did nothing to stop it, rather paid off victims and covered up any evidence of those facts.
Co-starring Stanley Tucci and Billy Crudup, among others, Spotlight brought some serious subject matter to theaters already showing other films such as The Peanuts Movie, Spectre, Our Brand is Crisis, and Burnt.
Spotlight Movie Quotes,
How Do You Say 'No' to God?
Phil Saviano: When you're a poor kid from a poor family and when a priest pays attention to you, it's a big deal. How do you say 'no' to God?
Phil Saviano explains a bit more into why children are a prime target for priests while holding up the photo of a molested boy. What child, who is yearning for attention, would turn down love from God?
They Control Everything
Mitchell Garabedian: So, I pull out the 14 most-damning docs and I attach them to my motion and they prove everything, everything, about the church, about the bishops, about law.
Michael Rezendes: And it's all public cause your motion to oppose Rogers motion is public.
Mitchell Garabedian: Yeah, exactly, now you're paying attention.
Michael Rezendes: So I could just walk into that courthouse right now and get those documents?
Mitchell Garabedian: No, you cannot, because the documents are not there.
Michael 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.
Michael Rezendes: Mitch, are you telling me that the Catholic Church removed legal documents from that courthouse?
Mitchell Garabedian: Look, I'm not crazy. I'm not paranoid. I'm experienced. Check the docket. You'll see. They control everything.
Attorney Mitchell Garabedian and reporter Michael Rezendes discuss some of Mitchell's prior legal work against the Catholic Church. While Michael wants to go right to the courthouse to gather this evidence, as Mitchell explains, it's far from that easy when you're fighting something that powerful.
They Knew and They Let It Happen
Michael Rezendes: This is not just Boston. This is the whole country, the whole world. They knew and they let it happen! It could've been you, it could've been me, it could've been any of us.
Michael gets angry about the situation, that the Catholic Church knew of this molestation around the world and did nothing to stop it. To him, this is unconscionable and indefensible. He's not wrong.
Six Percent is 90
Marty Baron: Six percent act out sexually.
Mike Rezendes: Six percent is 90.
Walter "Robby" Robinson: 90 priests?
Ben Bradlee, Jr.: If there were 90 of these bastards, people would know.
Mike Rezendes: Maybe they do.
The Spotlight team learns that six percent of priests act out sexually and do the math to learn that they're dealing with 90 priests. This gives them an idea. If the math is correct and there are 90 priests out there molesting children, then there are dozens of families who know, and could talk about it.
We've Got Two Stories Here
Walter "Robby" Robinson: You're going to give me their names and the names of their victims.
Eric Macleish: Are you threatening me?
Walter "Robby" Robinson: We've got two stories here: A story about degenerate clergy and a story about a bunch of lawyers turning child abuse into a cottage industry. Which story do you want us to write cause we're writing one of them.
Robby has a heated discussion with attorney Eric about what the Globe is prepared to do. The ball is in Eric's court and it will be his choice to shoot or pass. Either way, it sounds like the Boston Globe will win the game.
We're Going to Tell It Right
Sacha Pfeiffer: I am here because I care. We're going to tell this story. We're going to tell it right.
In speaking with Phil Saviano, reporter Sacha reassures him that this pain of discussing the molestation will pay off in the end. She wants him to know their wish to help the victims, and prevent other victims, is genuine.
Show Me This Was Systemic
Walter "Robby" Robinson: Law had to know. That's why he had the reaction, cause he knew there were others.
Marty Baron: I think that's the bigger story.
Sacha Pfeiffer: But the numbers clearly indicate that there were senior clergy involved.
Marty Baron: That's all they do, indicate.
Michael Rezendes: Are you telling me that if we run a story with 50 pedophile priests in Boston...
Walter "Robby" Robinson: Mike
Marty Baron: We'll get into the same cat fight you got into with Porter which made a lot of noise but changed things not one bit. We need to focus on the institution, not the individual priests, practice and policy. Show me that the church manipulated the system so that these guys wouldn't have to face charges. Show me they put those same priests back into parishes time and time again. Show me this was systemic, that came from the top down.
Ben Bradlee, Jr.: Sounds like we're going after Law.
In a strategy session between the Spotlight team and Boston Globe management, they discuss how they should approach their story. As Marty mentions, if they're going to do it, they need to go big. Otherwise, it won't have the impact that is needed to solve the problem.
Trying to Get Some Background Information
Michael Rezendes: I know there's things you cannot tell me. But I also know there's a story here and I think everybody will hear about it.
Mitchell Garabedian: Do you think your paper has the resources to take that on?
Michael Rezendes: I do. Do you?
...
Michael Rezendes: I'm trying to get some background information.
Mitchell Garabedian: I don't want you recording this in any way, shape or form. Nothing.
Boston Globe reporter Michael Rezendes meets with attorney Mitchell Garabedian in an attempt to learn a bit about a possible story on child sexual abuse by members of the Catholic Church. While Mitchell does have information that Michael could use, Mitchell also knows that this topic is not something to mess with lightly.
Boston Priests Molested Kids
Marty Baron: The Boston priests molested kids in six different parishes over the last 30 years. The church found out about it and did nothing. We haven't committed any longterm investigative resources to the case.
Ben Bradlee, Jr.: No, we haven't.
Marty Baron: And that's the kind of thing your team would do.
Walter "Robby" Robinson: Spotlight?
Boston Globe staff and management meet to ponder taking on an investigative story involving Boston priests molesting children. It will take time and a good deal of resources but Robby has the perfect team in mind, Spotlight.
I Can't Discuss This
Sacha Pfeiffer: We understand you settled several cases against the church.
Eric Macleish: I can't discuss that.
Sacha Pfeiffer: There aren't any records of any of these settlements?
Eric Macleish: Nope
In meeting with an attorney who represented victims of the alleged sexual abuse, Sacha tries to get some information out of Eric. But Eric is not interested in sharing any information with the reporters, even going so far to suggest there is no information to be found.