Fine actors are caught not in the grips of demonic possession, but instead in bad directing during The Exorcism of Emily Rose.
Prefaced by a based on a true story line (which already raises a red flag), the film plays out as a courtroom drama laced with a horror tale. The Rev. Richard Moore (Tom Wilkinson) is standing trial for the death of college freshman Emily Rose (Jennifer Carpenter), whom he claims was possessed by demons.
Hotshot lawyer Erin Bruner (Laura Linney) takes up Father Moore's defense after being promised a senior partnership in exchange for victory. Assistant District Attorney Ethan Thomas (Campbell Scott), a devout Christian, is assigned to prosecute the priest.
The film is structured around Father Moore's trial, with flashbacks from witness testimonies laying ground for the story of Emily and the circumstances leading up to her death. Unfortunately, most of these flashback scenes are not very scary, though it is made very clear that Carpenter can contort her body into any manner of uncomfortable-looking positions. Otherwise, it is tame stuff and inevitably invites comparisons to other films of its ilk, most notably The Exorcist.
The biggest problem is the lack of mystery or intrigue; it is fairly clear from the opening scenes where the movie is headed.
Sadly, the courtroom scenes are only slightly better. Linney and Scott are formidable duelists, and they do what they can, given the material. Linney has done this sort of thing before (see Primal Fear), but for Scott, who usually plays riskier and more challenging roles (Roger Dodger
The Secret Lives of Dentists), this must have been a paycheck job. Wilkinson is fine in the exorcism scenes but flounders in much of the remaining movie, never leaving much of an impression.
The film's biggest sins lie within its writing and direction. Scott Derrickson (co-writer of Urban Legends: Final Cut), who directed and co-wrote the script, fails to generate much suspense and then, toward the end, inexplicably tosses in some awkward optimism. It all builds to an ending that is both silly and anticlimactic, leaving one to wonder, Is that all there is?
Overall, Derrickson has squandered a solid group of actors, to whom I plead: Repent! Come back into the light! The power of good cinema compels you!
Jennifer Carpenter stars in The Exorcism of Emily Rose a thriller based on a true story.
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Ben Saylor
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Jennifer Carpenter stars in The Exorcism of Emily Rose
a thriller based on a true story.
