‘The Exorcism of Emily Rose’ fails to scare most film fans
With its courtroom setting and TV-movie tone, “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” could be titled “Law & Supernatural Order.” The PG-13 picture seeks to frighten and sometimes builds an ominous atmosphere, but its modest budget (that depends mostly on loud sound effects for cheap jolts) and standard scare tactics mean the chill will be gone for most viewers. Anyone expecting a darkly shocking film similar in tone to William Friedkin’s masterful “The Exorcist” will be as disappointed as a Rob Zombie fan who accidentally attends at a Barry Manilow concert.
According to Fangoria magazine, the story is based on the true case of Annaliese Michel, whom the Catholic Church in the 1970s recognized as being possessed by the devil. She died while a priest was performing a sanctioned exorcism.
“Emily Rose” is told via courtroom flashbacks while Father Moore (Tom Wilkinson of “In the Bedroom”) stands trial for negligent homicide. While exorcising demons from Emily (Jennifer Carpenter of “Lethal Eviction”), things go very wrong as the hysterical 19-year-old college student fights Satanic forces for possession of her spirit.
Father Moore, a tragic figure who believes he was fighting six hellish demons inside the tortured teenager, refuses a plea bargain, something clearly desired by church officials, who want the wrongful death case to just go away.
Erin Bruner (Laura Linney of “You Can Count on Me”), a no-nonsense attorney known for using any means necessary to win tough cases, is given the defense assignment by the church’s legal firm. She’s ordered to convince her client to forget his beliefs, accept the plea and take the easy way out.
During the jury trial, Bruner faces a humorless prosecuting attorney, Ethan Thomas (Campbell Scott of “Dying Young”), and quickly realizes that defending Father Moore, who refuses to admit any wrongdoing, could take more of a physical and emotional toll than she ever imagined. The caring priest tells his non-believing attorney to be careful, since he feels she will be “under attack” from satanic forces.
Soon after, Bruner is hearing strange noises in her sterile apartment, watching potential witnesses die before her eyes and questioning her lack of religious conviction.
Thanks to the strong performances by Linney, Wilkinson and Carpenter, “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” often proves compelling, but director Scott Derrickson (“Hellraiser: Inferno”) takes the story in too many directions and never makes us experience the genuine fear, pain and horror surrounding the case.
In the end, “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” proves mildly unnerving without ever becoming truly terrifying.
FILM REVIEW
“The Exorcism of Emily Rose”
Grade: C+
Starring: Laura Linney, Tom Wilkinson, Campbell Scott and Jennifer Carpenter; screenplay by Scott Derrickson and Paul Harris Boardman; produced by Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi, Beau Flynn, Tripp Vinson and Boardman; directed by Derrickson.
Running Time: 105 minutes.
Parental Guide: PG-13 rating (horror elements).