The Exorcism of Emily Rose – Rating 4 out of 5

The Exorcism of Emily Rose – Rating 4 out of 5

In an extremely rare decision, the Catholic Church officially recognized the demonic possession of a 19 year-old college freshman. Told in flashbacks, ‘The Exorcism of Emily Rose’ chronicles the haunting trial of the priest accused of negligence resulting in the death of the young girl believed to be possessed and the lawyer who takes on the task of defending him.

Emily Rose takes a different approach in presenting the idea of exorcism. The exorcism has already been and now Father Moore stands trial for negligent homicide in regards to her death. Erin Bruner (Laura Linney) is called in to defend the priest and his actions. She isn’t sure what to believe and she’s let one too many criminals go in her career. Ethan Thomas (Campbell Scott) is the religious prosecutor who believes Emily was mistreated or not allowed to be treated for schizophrenia and has died due to medical complications.

The story is told in flashback and assumed visions Emily may have had during her ordeal. We hear accounts from friends as to her state of being and ultimately from Father Moore who relays his account of the events in detail.

This is not a horror movie, but a dramatic documentary about demonic possession. Is demon possession real? Is there a scientific or religious basis for it? Witnesses and evidence are brought in to explain the phenomenon and both are equally convincing and plausible.

Scenes of Emily’s body contorted and stiff will make you cringe. The scenes of her “delusions” are just enough to have the right effect without being overstated. There is plenty of mood and atmosphere in this story and Laura Linney and Campbell Scott do a superb job of presenting the case in a most convincing way.

The main thrust of the movie is to cause debate and speculation on demonic possession and whether it is “real”. The Church has doctrine on Exorcism, but yet they don’t acknowledge it. The symptoms for possession looks remarkably like mental illness and a prescription of the wrong meds. So is demonic possession real or simply mental illness.

This movie presents multiple arguments and multiple facts to support those arguments. It’s very well acted by all parties and has plenty of “creepiness” to make it all the more suspenseful. No gore, no hacking and slashing, no nudity or teens making out in the back of a Camaro. Good story, strong plot and strong acting. Definitely worth seeing.

The Exorcism of Emily Rose (Unrated Special Edition)

Other Articles of Interest:

• The Possession
• The Last Exorcism
• An American Haunting – Rating 2 out of 5
• The Raven – John Cusack as Edgar Allan Poe
• Dead Silence – Rating 3 out of 5
• Time to have a look at the Conjuring 2
• Exorcist II – Heretic – Ranking 3 out of 5
• Exorcist – Dominion/Exorcist – The Beginning
• Saw III
• The Black Cat – Rating 3.5 out of 5