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Film Review: Exorcism - Possession of Gail Bowers
By John Marrone
Feb 23, 2006, 16:20

Directed by:  Leigh Slawner
Running Time:  83 minutes
Body Count:  5

Its funny to look at the cover of this DVD.  Youre lying to yourself if you don't instantly recognize that this film is simply hoping to thrive off of its similarities to The Amityville Horror (the house on the cover), The Exorcist (which it mentions), and The Exorcism of Emily Rose (a recent hit which could easily be confused with this title, to an impulsive, lesser-informed consumer).  Low budget, no name actors and actresses, and scoffs from viewers are what lead me to view this DVD.  The fact that it was an interesting, watchable possession movie is why Im writing this quick review.

Granted.  You can pick this movie apart if you wanna be a prick.  Its also very similar in structure to the classic Exorcism plot from the original 1974 legend.  Clark and Anne Pederson move into their new home with Anne's much younger sister, Gail (Erica Roby).  Gail's mom and dad are dead, and now she lives with her sibling - both of them on either end of the spectrum regarding Christian beliefs.  Gail withdraws to the garage where she makes her room, and befriends Francie (Rebekah Kochan), a neighbor, who is a carbon copy of your average neighborhood tramp.  A Ouija board comes into play, and soon something is breaking through, entering and possessing Gail, who gradually succumbs to total evil by the near end of the film.

The story was good enough to bear interest in what was progressing.  The opening sequence of Father Thomas (Thomas Downey) was an eye-catching start, and gets explained better midway into the story.  His character appears again at the end, as the quintessential exorcism finale' goes into play - but his part was acted with authority.  The ending and how he tries to expel the demon was pretty compelling.  For the most part, all of the parts were acted well and convincing, aside from the almost comic relief of Father Thomas' assistant priests in the final exorcism, which were comedic at best.

Horror fans will see why this film has redeeming qualities.  Death by crucifix into the jugular, girls clawing out their eyes in the shower, scissors stabbing aortas - gushing and squirting large quantities of dark blood.  Not heavily enough to call this a gore movie - but enough to keep your attention.  You might be interested to know that every female lead in the film ends up topless.  This one is heavy on sex and dirty talk.  Demons can talk a nasty tongue.

If you run out of things to watch, and Exorcism: Possession of Gail Bowers crosses your fingertips, don't be so quick to pass it up because of what you've heard.  You're in the horror section because you like violence, evil intentions, and blood.  This film doesn't climb to Exorcism heights.  But it takes the story out of the courtroom, where Emily Rose earned its credit, and puts it back in the house where it belongs.  You'll get everything you expect - levitation over the bed, whispers and shadows in the hall, "mice" in the attic, demonic tongues, growling, terrified adults, contact lenses, a major exorcism showdown, and one badass bitch in the bedroom.

Final analysis:  After everything I had read, and after laughing when I read the title upon its release, I have to admit, its better than I thought it would be.  In fact, Im going out on a limb to say that it was cool.  The cinematographer's slightly blurred style of filming adds a positive effect.  This is one of those movies that just got a bad rap right from the start.  Don't give it high hopes, forgive it of its shortcomings, and Gail Bowers just might turn you on.