The Greatest Trick

I have often wondered why Christian priests in films always seem to be Catholics, particularly in supernatural dramas. As I was watching this I suddenly realised the answer. It’s not because Catholicism is the most internationally recognised denomination, it’s because Catholicism is so full of dramatic medieval iconography and therefore makes for visually arresting cinema.

Based (very, very loosely) on a true case, The Exorcism of Emily Rose is a mixture of horror film and courtroom drama. Priest Father Moore finds himself on trial for negligent manslaughter following an exorcism that went pear-shaped. The allegedly possessed victim, Emily Rose, subsequently died as she was refusing medical treatment on the advice of Father Moore. Up and coming lawyer Erin defends Father Moore in court, and Emily’s story is gradually revealed in flashback.

What starts out as a depressingly familiar clash of science versus religion quickly becomes something more interesting. Father Moore is revealed to be a fascinating character who does not disregard medicine (he even insisted on having a doctor present during the exorcism). At the same time, prosecuting attorney Ethan Thomas is a sceptical Christian determined to prove Emily was epileptic and most emphatically not demon possessed.

Despite the supernatural goings-on, director Scott Derrickson crafts the film to encourage the audience to make up its own mind. It’s also beautifully shot, with enough flourishes and visually startling moments to indicate that Derrickson may be a name to look out for in future. Obvious influences include The Exorcist, but whilst it is scary, it is nowhere near that level of armrest gripping, try-to-stop-shaking, stomach in knots terrifying. As a horror film it’s not really frightening enough and as a courtroom thriller it’s not quite thrilling enough. However as a combination of the two, it’s an underrated and thought provoking work, despite some scathing reviews from major critics.

Acting wise, there’s not a huge amount to write home about. Jennifer Carpenter does Linda Blair impressions as Emily Rose, and as Erin Laura Linney’s acting ranges from worried to tearful and tearfully worried. Tom Wilkinson is good as Father Moore, but then this is the kind of role he could sleepwalk through. The best turn comes from Campbell Scott as Ethan; a Christian with a closed mind similar to a number of people I know.

On the spiritual side, the usual Catholic superstitions are present and correct including stigmata, the 3am witching hour, barmy visions of the Virgin Mary, silly Exorcism rites that bear no resemblance to the simple approach to casting out demons mandated by the Bible and so forth. That said, Father Moore is an interesting, principled and compassionate character. His resolute faith and courage is inspiring. It is also delightfully refreshing to see a film which concludes that science and faith do not necessarily contradict one another.

Unfortunately, the film lets itself down in the end by suggesting it was God’s will for Emily to remain possessed and for the exorcism to not work, as through her death and the subsequent court case the world would be forced to acknowledge the existence of the spiritual realm. This is utter cobblers, as any Christian will tell you. Jesus Christ died was so we could be freed from demonic possession. He suffered so Emily Rose wouldn’t have to. This was particularly irritating as it makes God appear either cruel or incapable of defeating evil.

That said, I still think the overall film was positive and I would recommend it to non-Christians, simply as a tool to get them thinking. I would also recommend it to Christians like me, interested in the media as a form of creative evangelism. More religious Christians however, will no doubt have their hackles raised by its dodgy theology and had perhaps best avoid it.

Simon Dillon, December 2005.