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By
NICK ZEGARAC
The Exorcism of Emily Rose
(2005) is a surprisingly religious and riveting
horror movie that gains more respect with renewed
viewing. Those seated in the theater during its
original engagement likened its scares to either
the gore of 'The Exorcist' or cheap thrills
featured in 'The Ring'. To be sure, there are both
to be had in this tale of demonic possession. It's
not quite as graphic as the former and hardly as
cliché as the latter.
What is genuinely compelling about this film is
not its digitally manipulated chills but its
subversive investigation into the real life events
surrounding Anneliese Michel, a student who
thought she was possessed by demons and ultimately
killed during a botched exorcism by two Catholic
priests. As conceived by director/co-writer Scott
Derrickson (Paul Harris Boardman is the other
half), life imitates art dramatically in a
powerful courtroom drama.
Plot wise: small town Catholic man of the cloth,
Father Moore (Tom Wilkinson) is put on trial for
the murder of one Emily Rose (Jennifer Carpenter)
a troubled young girl who sees Satanic symbols
everywhere and who believes that demons are in
possession of her actions. As Moore's agnostic
defense attorney, Erin Bruner (Laura Linney)
argues for clemency, based on the extraordinary
circumstances surrounding the death. But staunchly
conservative Methodist prosecutor Ethan Thomas
(Campbell Scott) is vehemently opposed. To him
it's a clear case of religion overstepping its
boundaries and directly resulting in the murder of
a young girl. The film unravels its investigation
into the macabre through a series of bone-chilling
vignettes told in flashback.
As Emily, Jennifer Carpenter delivers a thoroughly
disturbing portrait of a young girl pushed to the
brink of fear, and arguably, beyond. I don't see
how Carpenter made it through the experience
without incurring any lasting emotional scars. Tom
Wilkinson's top notch delivery elevates the entire
story from maudlin horror to legitimate scare.
"The Exorcism of Emily Rose" is presented in two
separately sold DVD editions through Lakeshore
Entertainment via Sony: the original theatrical
cut and the uncut director's version. Having only
seen the director's cut, this reviewer will work
from the assumption that both DVDs have been
minted from the same transfer. The stylized
picture consists of fully saturated colors, bold
deep and haunting blacks and relatively clean
whites. Flesh tones are consistently rendered.
Though certain scenes in the film have excessive
grain this is as it should be and was during the
film's general theatrical release. The picture
quality will surely not disappoint. The audio is
5.1 and delivers an expansive spread across all
five speakers.
Extras include three featurettes on the genesis
and development of the story and film, deleted
scenes, theatrical trailer and director's audio
commentary that is rather benign in spots. Though
hardly what I would classify as feel good -- and
ill timed for Christmas, then say, Halloween --
"The Exorcism of Emily Rose" is brutally
disturbing entertainment without the gross out
factor usually thrown in for good measure. |
