The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

The film tells the story of Emily Rose, a religious 19 year-old college student, who dies shortly after a Catholic priest carries out an exorcism on her.  Emily had been having violent seizures and hallucinations, and according to Father Richard Moore (Tom Wilkinson) it was spiritual help that was required not medical.  Charged with negligent homicide, Father Moore was arrested.  Whether Emily died because she was possessed by demons or whether she died because she turned her back on the medical support that she had been getting was the main argument during his court case.  Much of the film is set in the courtroom and Emily's story of possession is shown in a series of flashbacks as witnesses give evidence.

It's difficult not to, but try not to compare this film to The Exorcist.  The Exorcist is the benchmark for 'demon horror' movies, and if horror is what you want you might be disappointed.  While it might not be a 'real' horror there are plenty of frights and tension, but it's the fact that the film is based on a true story that will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up!  The Exorcism of Emily Rose is an uneasy mix of Courtroom Drama and Horror and the difficulties of merging the two, very different, types of film is evident.  The court room hearings are authentic but some of the flashbacks showing the nightmare events that Emily experienced seem to rely on tried-and-trusted 'scary movie ideas'.

The religious aspect of the story might divide audiences.  Some will not relate to the beliefs and ideas put forward while others will be intrigued.  Either way I reckon that this is the type of movie that will make you think.  As Erin Bruner, the defence lawyer for Father Moore, says in her closing statement ... you don't have to believe everything Father Moore believes, you only have to believe in the possibility...

Good performances from Laura Linney and Tom Wilkinson lend some weight to the film which might otherwise have gone mostly unnoticed.  Laura Linney is convincing as the shrewd defence lawyer who is assigned to defend Father Moore.  Tom Wilkinson is credible as the priest who strongly believes that he did what was best but who above all else feels the need to tell Emily Rose's story.

Jennifer Carpenter has a somewhat easier task as Emily Rose in the sense that for most of the time we see her as a disturbed scared withdrawn girl, but she plays the part well.

Lasting Thought:  Perhaps we want medical explanations for the things we cannot explain, when in fact sometimes the answers are spiritual,  ...you only have to believe in the possibility...

Bottom Line: Difficult to rate this one and I suspect that it will receive mixed reviews but overall I think that it's worth a watch.  It's not really a horror movie but instead, a movie that tells a frightening and intriguing story that will get many viewers thinking.

If you enjoy The Exorcism of Emily Rose you might also enjoy The Mothman Prophecies, The Grudge, or Gothika.

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2005.

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS:  LAURA LINNEY:  The Life of David Gale,  Love Actually,  The Mothman Prophecies,  Mystic River.  TOM WILKINSON: Batman Begins,  Billy Elliot,  Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind,  Girl With A Pearl Earring.  COLM FEORE: Pay Check.

Genre: Horror/Drama

Director: Scott Derrickson

Certificate: The Exorcism of Emily Rose was rated 15A by the Irish Film Censor's Office (www.ifco.ie) i.e. suitable for those of 15 years of age or upwards. Persons under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Violence = strong. Drugs = none. Sex/Nudity = none. Language = none.

~ Main Cast ~

Laura Linney
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Laura Linney

Tom Wilkinson

Campbell Scott

Jennifer Carpenter

Colm Feore

Joshua Close