Reflections on "The Exorcism of Emily Rose"

I know it seems odd to be watching something like "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" during the holiday season. Seems more like something for Halloween right? I must confess, I just saw this film for the third time. It's still just as riveting as the first time I saw it. This is even more interesting given that a film that discusses religion and spirituality would develop an agnostic as a fan. I love horror films, but so few about demonic possession are any good. Frankly when I finally saw "The Exorcist" several years ago I was stunned at how disappointed I was. I found it gimmicky, laughable, and a waste of the talents involved (especially director William Friedkin and star Ellen Burstyn).

"The Exorcism of Emily Rose" works because Jennifer Carpenter as the possessed girl is so convincing (in fact rumor has it the production of the film saved money because of all the things she was able to do with her body). Also, the way the story is told is fascinating. The movie is "based on real events" (how close the movie is to reality is any one's guess). Basically Emily Rose start having feelings of possession when she started college. At first she is given medical treatment and then she stops that and turns to Father Moore (Tom Wilkinson). Eventually Father Moore ends up doing an exorcism which fails and the next day Emily is dead. Moore is put on trial for the negligent homicide of Emily Rose. The story is told mostly inn flashbacks via courtroom scenes.

What makes the courtroom drama aspect more interesting is that the attorneys on both sides are playing against their beliefs. Erin Bruner (Laura Linney) is an agnostic and is defending the priest and Ethan Thomas (Campbell Scott) is the churchgoer prosecuting the man of God. Interestingly the film does not really take a side. The prosecutor represents the scientific argument against Father Moore and the defense attorney argues just as convincingly the spiritual defense of Father Moore.

Maybe the reason I keep returning to this movie is that I am agnostic myself and this movie isn't preachy. It asks but does not provide easy answers for very profound questions regarding beliefs and spirituality vs. science. Was Emily Rose's death Father Moore's fault? We never really know. The movie leaves you thinking and wanting to talk about it. What more could a viewer ask for?