Recent Reviews
DVD Review: The Exorcism of Emily Rose
By HammerFanatic
Jan 3, 2006, 18:36

With the words......'Based On a True Story', so begins the film, The Exorcism of Emily Rose.

Emily Rose is a young college student who has just suffered a horrible death and the man held responsible for that death is the family priest, Father Richard Moore (Tom Wilkinson). Father Moore performed an exorcism on Emily Rose that was not only very unsuccessful, it lead to the young woman's death a few days later.

Brought in to defend Father Moore is young hot-shot lawyer, Erin Bruner (Laura Linney), hot off a big murder case that most felt was unwinnable, but Bruner pulled off the surprising acquittal. Bruner isn't so eager to take on this case, until she convinces the senior partner in her firm that should she take on the case, she should receive a full partnership in the firm and once agreed upon, Bruner sees this as the perfect case to get her what she wants. Once the trial begins, it isn't long before Bruner begins to question some of her own beliefs and faith or lack of faith. Prosecuting the case is another confident lawyer, Ethan Thomas (Campbell Scott), who has his own strong religious beliefs, but is very close minded to anything and anyone that doesn't share his same beliefs and ideals. Basically with Thomas, you either believe exactly what he does or you're very wrong and very ignorant.

What happened to Emily Rose is seen through recollections and flashbacks throughout the trial with both the prosecution and defense offering very convincing arguments as to why you should accept their side of the case. Some very interesting and valid points are brought up on both sides of the case and it makes for some entertaining courtroom drama.

Now, if you've seen any of the film's previews, don't go into this film thinking it's a non-stop thrill ride of scares and horror, as chances are you're going to be very disappointed...it's definitely not, The Exorcist. I had heard several negative thoughts on this film and heard it was absolutely nothing like the previews promised and I must agree, the previews are very misleading. I went into the viewing of this film with some very negative preconceived ideas on the film as well as determined I'd dislike it. That's where I was wrong, as I sat and watched the film, I found myself enjoying it for what it was, more of a drama than a flat-out horror film. This film is definitely not your typical horror film and in fact, there are very few, if any, real 'scares' to the film, but it still manages to deliver, as you find yourself very interested in what happens in the end.....who comes out on top of the trial and why things happened the way they did. The film is put together nicely, has some solid acting and is more of a 'thinking' style film than anything else. Yes, it is a 'Good vs Evil' film, but not what you might expect. Don't write this film off, based on what you may have heard about it, give it a chance and like myself, you may have a new appreciation of the film and hopefully, I'll learn to be less judgmental on films before actually sitting to watch them!

Buy the The Exorcism of Emily Rose on DVD at Amazon.com