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THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE Send This Review to a Friend
Despite a strong cast, this film has a devil of a time trying to convince non-believers to become enmeshed in the theatrics that result in a trial in which a priest is accused of responsibility for the death of a hapless young woman during am exorcism ritual. Directed by Scott Derrickson and co-written by him and Paul Harris Boardman, “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” takes itself very seriously as both courtroom drama and exploration of a battle between God and the devil.
It stems from what we are told is a true story, but that doesn’t make the film any more convincing. What gives it credibility is the performance by Tom Wilkinson as a priest so certain that he has done the right thing and that the college student involved was indeed inhabited by Satan, who had to be driven out in accordance with Catholic church doctrine.
The other life force in the film is Laura Linney, who earnestly portrays the skeptical lawyer defending the priest against the prosecution position that what the priest took for signs of the devil were manifestations of psychological and physical illness. But the film tries to have it both ways when the attorney experiences a phenomenon that makes her wonder.
“The Exorcism of Emily Rose” is more courtroom drama than horror film, although there are horrific scenes, but for a non-believer the story comes across more as an oddity than one to be taken as seriously as it would seem to demand. What pleasure that exists results almost totally from the quality of the lead performances. A Screen Gems release.
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