01 October 2010

The Exorcism of Emily Rose

Ugh... I'm already starting my Horror Movie of the Day for 2010 (Today's recommendation is Devil), and I only have TWO posted from last  year.  Yikes.  Well... here's #3.  The Exorcism of Emily Rose  was truly a creepy film which provided scares at the same time that it performed an intellectual exploration of possession.  It was loosely based on the true life case of Annaliese Michel of Germany, who died in 1976 after having undergone 67 exorcisms*.  It's a horrific story with a tragic ending which this film deals with quite well, even after adding the Hollywood touch.

The movie is about a young woman who lives in a small town, on a farm, with her family, who is excited to get to go away to college.  Unfortunately, while at college, Emily starts experiencing very strange phenomena. Noises of people eating in the school cafeteria disgust and disturb her, she no longer wants to eat, her body contorts into strange positions, and she starts seeing evil, demonic faces on people and in windows.


For the love of all that is holy, who is playing Justin Bieber?

The film is a review of the events as the trial goes on accusing the priest who performed her exorcism of manslaughter.  The debate takes place over whether Emily Rose was a young woman suffering from a mental illness which was not being treated or whether possession truly exists, and she died as a result.  Her family and boyfriend are firm believers that the priest was trying to save her and that this was an issue for God and the church.  Emily Rose, throughout the course of the movie, makes it clear that she also believed that she was suffering from possession.

While the film hints at what the case may be, the answer is never truly provided.  There are convincing arguments on both sides of the story, and some of the coincidences, which most likely did not happen in the case of Annaliese Michel, certainly point to the belief that she was possessed.


You know, I think she's just trying to perform her new gymnastics floor routine!

I suppose it all comes down to whether or not you believe in something you can't see.  Do you believe in God?  If you do, you must believe either in the Devil or some demonic beings.  If the possibility of these entities existing is not something you can admit to, then you will likely be of the opinion that she was suffering from a mental illness.  I admit, I truly want to believe in all things paranormal such as ghosts, and I believe there is a God, but I also want hardcore evidence.  It's a difficult position!  Having studied psychology, I certainly believe some of the proposed issues.  But there are other things that are hard to explain.

Overall, this film is a unique look at exorcism.  I think the director handled the story well, and the actors had some amazing performances.  If you have not seen it, I highly recommend the movie.  It's not scary all the way through, as I said, the events are more flashbacks from during a trial.  But when the scares come, they come on strong.



*"What in God's Name" by Eric T. Hansen at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/02/AR2005090200559.html

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