The Exorcism of Emily Rose *** (2005, Laura Linney, Tom Wilkinson, Campbell Scott, Jennifer Carpenter, Colm Feore) – Classic Movie Review 4815

Co-writer/ director Scott Derrickson’s scary, well-crafted and literate 2005 American legal drama horror film, loosely based on a true story about Anneliese Michel, won the 2005 Saturn Award for Best Horror or Thriller Film and in 2006 was named in the Chicago Film Critics Association’s list of the Top 100 Scariest Films Ever Made.

It follows the story of agnostic lawyer Erin Bruner (Laura Linney) who acts as defence counsel for parish priest Father Moore (Tom Wilkinson), accused by the state of negligent homicide after he performed an exorcism in which 19-year-old Emily Rose dies.

Paul Harris Boardman is co-writer of the thoughtful and intelligent screenplay. Linney and Wilkinson are ideally cast and give the kind of high quality performance expected of them. Derrickson provides the smooth and polished direction required, while bringing a fresh take on exorcism in the screenplay.

It also stars Campbell Scott as Ethan Thomas, Jennifer Carpenter as Emily Rose, Colm Feore as Karl Gunderson, Joshua Close as Jason and Kenneth Welsh as Dr Mueller, with Shohreh Aghdashloo as Dr Adani, Henry Czerny as Dr Briggs, Mary Beth Hurt as Judge Brewster, J R Bourne as Ray and Duncan Fraser as Dr Cartwright.

It grossed more than $144 million worldwide.

Derrickson also made Sinister (2012) and Doctor Strange (2016).

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 4815

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