Fri., Sep. 9, 2005 12:00 AM PDT
Though based on a true story, don't expect
Emily Rose to exorcise anyone's memory of the classic
Exorcist. A college student, allegedly possessed by demons, dies while in the care of family priest Tom Wilkinson. So, the collared father faces murder charges (but isn't
possession nine-tenths of the law?). Anyhoo, man of faith
Campbell Scott plays prosecutor, while hotshot attorney
Laura Linney, an agnostic, is chosen for defense.
Oh, the sinister irony. Creepy and shrieking flashbacks of Emily's possession and exorcism are interwoven with intriguing trial scenes that present scientific and religious arguments for her condition. But
Rose withers outside that realm of spirited spiritual debate. Though Linney's the lead, we learn precious little about her character except she's ambitious and, once the trial starts, hears bumps in the night, although the films fails to investigate that. By failing to mine deeper emotional and psychological territory, this exorcism flick never fully possesses its audience.
0 Comments
Now loading...