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Show "Exorcism" too factual to frighten room, keeping us in the realm of rationality. When this film begins, Because we are being taken back and forth an incredible silence fills Casey I Allen from the eerie scenes of Emily's struggle to the screen as we are slowly Bruner's meticulous investigation of the case, brought into an old-fashthe film seems choppy and slow. This leaves ioned farm house surthe audience asking for more and wondering rounded by gray, chilly if they'll ever get it. Jennifer Carpenter ("White mist. To an unsuspecting Chicks") plays Emily and actually portrays sufaudience, it seems like the perfect setting for a horror ["Exorcism of Emily Rose" j ficient realism during her demonic encounters. film but sooner or later \RatedPG-B, Grade C . J But none of these encounters are really that terrifying simply because comes the realization that they are so short lived we have been deceived. Horror and fear only play a small part in this film (even though the plethora while we are carefully urged to succumb to the real- of twelve-year-olds in the ity (or at least the possibility) of supernatural forces theater thought otherwise). of evil. Although the controverLaura Linney ("P.S.") plays the successful lawyer, sial subjects of this film seem Erin Bruner who's assignee! to represent a Catholic over the top, it is presented priest in a highly publicized case of negligent mur- in a surprisingly believable der. Father Moore is the priest in question (Tom manner. Seamless editWilkinson, "Batman Begins") who fervently claims ing and a subtly sustained he was not responsible for the death; it was the devil. atmosphere are commendAs the trial proceeds, we learn about the demonic able elements which make possession of Emily Rose, a college student, and how the movie mysterious. Sadly her devout priest failed to expel the wicked spirits though, the story remains bleak and minimal which from her body, ultimately causing her death. The trial serves as the frame for the story and patiently leads us along to we are constantly shown flashbacks explaining the a bleak and minimal conevents of Emily's possession and exorcism. These clusion. There is never any flashbacks are told through the eyes of different wit- eruption which serves as nesses as they each take the stand. Some of the flash- the shocking climax. And backs are effectively frightening for a few moments because it is so logically as we witness Emily tiptoeing down dark hallways, driven by the courtroom uncontrollably contorting her body and watching drama, we don't invest our objects move about by themselves (including Emily's emotions with any of the bedspread sliding off of her). These scenes are sure to characters and we don't get make some viewers shiver, but it isn't long before we scared. are taken back to the present plotline in the courtThis is where the movie Reel eviews loses momentum. ^-^ Logical accounts of the facts aren't going to scare people; it's the absence of them that makes us afraid. The whole tale remains somewhat disturbing but the lack of emotion, intensity and bloodcurdling content causes it to be only a semi-dramatic basis of a true story. Casey T. Allen is a movie critic for the Utah Statesman. Comments and questions can be sent to caseyal@cc.usu.edu. "Excorcism of Emily Rose" Rated PQ,-13 "There were parts that were good, but some of the story went a little too far for my beliefs." —Kaleena Hendricks, senior, psychology "It is definitely worth seeing again!" t —Betsy Jeppson, junior, recreation management "It wasn't as creepy as I thought it would be." —Michelle Christensen, senior, sociology "There are many spaces and misunderstandings. I do not believe the outcome of the movie. —Katie Clement, sophomore, international stud- |