The Burr in the Burgh

Darrell, over at Film Geeks 2.0, has posted a new review of The Exorcism of Emily Rose. And since I just watched the DVD two nights ago myself, I thought I would post a few words. I commented on this film earlier when it was first in the theaters, as did Darrell.

I think it was a good movie. Probably one of my five favorites of the year. First because it was just so well made. The cast was top of the line. Jennifer Carpenter, as Emily Rose, deserves some attention. She was superlative. Laura Linney, who has never given a bad performance, said more with her facial expressions at times than most actors do with a thousand lines of text. Her intelligence was commanding. And if Tom Wilkenson is not nominated for an Academy Award, an injustice will have occured. Usually Christian clergy are portrayed in films as either ignorant, bigotted, or villainous - or all three. Wilkenson's Father Moore was intelligent, sensitive, pastoral, strong, passionate about his beliefs, and willing to sacrifice himself for what is good.

As a pastor, I think this film and others like it can serve a useful purpose. Movies about the devil or demon possession are often overly sensationalistic, gory or special effects laden. This one had it's scary moments, but it was comparatively easy handed in the effects department, which I appreciated. This put more of the attention on the characters. And these characters are exceptionally well-drawn.

What I didn't like:

• While in jail, when Father Moore was being attacked by demonic powers, he prayed to St. Michael for protection. Now the good thing is that it showed that prayer protected him from the devil. But why would he pray to an angel? There is no biblical promise that angels can hear and answer prayer. But there are countless promises that God hears us and answers us when we call out to Him. Pray to God to send an angel, if you like, but don't bother praying to the soldiers when you have ready access to the commander in chief.


• The anthropologist who testified for the defense only muddied the picture as far as I am concerned.


• I found the ending unsatisfactory. I won't spoil it, but I thought it was kind of strange.