<P> Doubt is a 2008 American period drama film written and directed by John Patrick Shanley based on his Pulitzer Prize - winning and Tony Award - winning stage play Doubt: A Parable . Produced by Scott Rudin, the film takes place in a St. Nicholas school led by Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep). Sister James (Amy Adams) tells Aloysius that Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) might have too much personal attention with the school's only black student Donald Miller (Joseph Foster), thus leading to Aloysius starting a crusade against Flynn . The film also features Viola Davis as Donald Miller's mother, Mrs. Miller . </P> <P> The film premiered October 30, 2008 at the AFI Fest before being distributed by Miramax Films in limited release on December 12 and in wide release on December 25 . Streep, Hoffman, Adams, and Davis were heavily praised for their performances, and all were nominated for Academy Awards at the 81st Academy Awards . </P> <P> In 1964 at a Catholic church in The Bronx, New York Father Flynn gives a sermon on the nature of doubt, noting that like faith, doubt can be a unifying force . Sister Aloysius, the strict principal of the parish school, becomes concerned when she sees a boy pull away from Father Flynn in the school courtyard . At dinner, she asks her fellow nuns if they know why Father Flynn would preach about doubt, and instructs them to be alert to a possible problem in the school . </P> <P> One day during class, Sister James, a young and naive teacher, receives a request for Donald Miller, an altar boy and the school's only black student, to meet Father Flynn in the rectory . When he returns, Donald is upset and Sister James notices the smell of alcohol on his breath . Later, she sees Father Flynn placing an undershirt in Donald's locker . She reports her suspicions to Sister Aloysius . </P>

What year does the movie doubt take place