Post #22 - The Exorcism of Emily Rose

Please note this is a complete SPOILER and I am basically relaying how insanely stupid this movie was for your enjoyment. I suggest seeing the movie before reading this if you have any interest in it being surprise.

2005 Release
Directed by: Scott Derrickson
Written by: Paul Harris Boardman & Scott Derrickson
Starring: Laura Linney, Tom Wilkinson & Shohreh Aghdashloo

I think I have already talked about my soft spot for horror movies with any sort of religious twist, well here is another example. I am not really sure what it is about these religious movies that I enjoy, maybe its the self-hating Catholic in me or something. Most of these movies are really crappy, but I did enjoy this one. It did have its mind numbing moments, but overall it was entertaining.

The movie centers around the trial of priest Father Moore (Wilkinson), represented by Erin Bruner (Linney), for the death of Emily Rose due to his negligence in advising her to terminate treatment for epilepsy. Father Moore stands by his decision claiming her ailments were due to a spiritual sickness and not a physical one.

Emily (Carpenter) is a down to earth country girl who leaves her family farm to attend college in the big city. Shortly after arriving at school strange things start to happen around her that ultimately lead to her untimely death. As the story unfolds according to Father Moore, Emily began to suffer hallucinations, bouts of paralysis, speaking in tongues, and self mutilation which he attributes to demonic possession. After medical treatment failed to ease her suffering, Moore prescribed an exorcism which apparently failed to cleanse Emily and left her weakened and on the brink of death. Eventually she does in fact die and according to the movie is considered by many to be a martyr and a saint.

Now, the story is somewhat interesting and I thought Carpenter was pretty good, along with everyone else. It definitely wasn't the most flattering or glamorous role as Emily so I appreciated Carpenter's humility. The movie does take itself alittle too seriously at points and the exorcism scenes did get alittle over the top and silly. Overall it was an entertaining flick and I would recommend it. It was actually sort of depressing look back at it. Damn it, I hate when that happens. Now I am all bummed out...

SO having said all that, I give this movie:
A solid movie which means it probably shouldn't be on this site, but I am sure alot of people hated it so its a wash.