Ashley Carter
Published: September 28, 2005
“The Exorcism of Emily Rose” is a tale that was based upon a real story of a 19-year-old girl who undergoes an exorcism gone-wrong.
As far as Catholic superstitions go, very few exorcisms for casting out demons are ever performed; but when Emily Rose does not survive the ritual, law enforcement is forced to ask, when do spiritual beliefs hold higher than federal law? In this particular flick, questions just like these are answered when it teeters from an exorcism to a case court against the priest that performed it.
The two tales are brought together by flashbacks that occur during the preceding court affairs. Tom Wilkinson portrays an accused priest that begs to unfold Emily’s story. Laura Linnet balances the screen time by accepting the role of this seemingly innocent man’s lawyer. When a flashback of Emily’s exhausting possession occurs, dramatic scenes of impossible images flood your every view.
This movie has that little spark for everyone. The movies name precedes itself in another classical horror flick, but no pea soup would be found on this set. On one hand the film leads the viewer down the path of just how Emily became possessed. Bones crack, voices wail, and Emily’s eyes scream out for the bitter-sweet release.
Then on the other hand, Tom’s character wasn’t able to go much of anywhere, he was either locked in a cell, or sitting in court. This man’s acting skills for playing the parts of plagued men came in handy, but there was only so much of one emotion that a person could take. It’s hard to pinpoint the exact setting where the movie takes place, because this haunted innocent runs around throughout the entire story.
Despite this, everything else in the movie came together perfectly. From plot to ambiance, watchers actually feel themselves being drawn into the movie as if they were a part of it.
I thoroughly enjoyed “The Exorcism of Emily Rose,” and think that it has enough appeal to be picked up in the rental section with all the other classic favorites that are enjoyed in marathon runs.