Post by Mr.HoRrOr on Sept 29, 2011 23:31:58 GMT -5
Plot:Emma is sick. Tired of studying at home instead of going to school, tired of baby-sitting her younger brother, tired of their parents. Emma's parents are overprotective, agnostics and overly strict with their children's education. Emma wants a different life, wants to be free...Inexplicably Emma begins to suffer strange attacks that parents attributed to psychological problems, but she knows that these attacks have a very different origin. Emma knows that something terrible inside that is gripping it. Emma wanted to be free...Some things are best ever wished absence thereof.
Cast:
Tommy Bastow
Sophie Vavasseur
Richard Felix
Doug Bradley
Stephen Billington
My Thoughts:Decent for an exorcism flick.
Review:It's difficult to do anything different these days with the exorcism genre. It's really a genre that doesn't have much out there that has not been done yet. And as a genre, there's really not much wiggle room with it to begin with. It's a genre where a person gets possessed by a supernatural entity. And the danger, pain, suffering, and drama that comes with it. Thus, going into Manuel Carballo's "Exorcismus"...I wasn't expecting much. So what did I get? Well, a surprisingly decent movie! "Exorcismus" follows an angsty teen named Emma Evans.
She feels trapped in her current life of babysitting her little brother. Having a curfew, etc. All she wishes....is to be "free". One day, Emma suddenly goes into convulsions, and shakes. Her parents believe she is gravely sick. As these seizures are also followed by moments where Emma blacks out. And when she comes to later on. Finds out that she has gone through a violent outburst where someone has wound up frightened, injured, or worese. But what's really happening to Emma...is something far, far darker.
"Exorcismus" uses performances to drive its story more than anything. It doesn't rely on the usual bells and whistles that most exorcism horror films rely on. It uses a few, don't get me wrong. But not the whole bag. In fact. It tries more new ideas. And doesn't rehash much. Sophie Vavasseur is relied upon heavily, to drive the film and its story into all different kinds of cinematic territories. She's relied upon to make the character of Emma look like a normal teenager at times. While at other times, she's called upon to make Emma scary and wickedly evil. Vavasseur doesn't do all of this without flaws.
But she for the most part, carries the water for the film really well. Certainly better than a large portion of today's young American actresses. With the exception of a small few. The movie doesn't ever deliver huge doses of entertainment value, action, or super-intensity. But it tells a great, strong, solid story. It's a traditional horror movie. That sticks to telling the story it wants to tell. And doesn't stray or stroll into any territories where it knows it has no chance at succeeding.
Or quite frankly, doesn't belong. That's an admirable quality about this movie. It's not going to wow or shock you. But it simply wants to tell a story about this teenage girl, who has been overtaken by this evil supernatural force. And that's it. And this actually makes it easier to focus on the movie. And ultimately embrace it. Knowing that the filmmakers aren't going to all of a sudden swerve you into some crazy story arc that just doesn't fit the mold. Emma is a normal, angsty teenage girl. Who simply gets overtaken by this force.
Which sadly, and tragically. Gives her exactly what she wants and asked for. To be "free". Which is the films big twist. How this force grants Emma's wish. And the underlying theme to "Exorcismus". Is how selfishness can be exploited by what you least expect. And how one should be careful what one asks for. Regret, is the key underlying theme to the film. Who's scenario gets even more dire whe Emma's uncle, a priest...is called in to try and exorcise her. Once her family realizes Emma is actually possessed by a demon. But the priest's insertion into the story actually adds another intriguing layer to the film.
And adds some much needed strength to a film that could've become heavily repetitive and eventually weak as it neared its conclusion. But the priest character, Emma's uncle. Throws a cool wrinkle or two into the story once he enters into the fray. And ultimately carries the movie to a satisfactory conclusion. Where the lines between good and evil become blurred. Emma eventually has to face her "inner demon". And not everything is exactly what it seems. There's not a lot of blood, gore, and graphic violence. In "Exorcismus".
But then again, in what exorcism movie is there really? Like most exorcism movies before it. The film relies on performances, and a story to move it ahead. And succeeds for the most part. While the story of a teenage girl, who is suddenly possessed by a demon. Which uses her as its own personal instrument to wreak havoc and spread death within Emma's life. Is terrifying on its own. It can be a rough road to get to. Which is the one major downside to "Exorcismus".
Within one of its twists. We eventually find out how this demon was allowed entry into Emma's life. And the result is not a very good one. Cliche? Sure? Overdone and repetitive? Sure. However...the movie doesn't make this reveal at the very beginning. But rather smooths it into a quick flashback sequence very late in the picture.
So I am not inclined to take away too many points from the film for that. But nonetheless. I was hoping for a more creative origin. In the end, "Exorcismus" is not a horror movie that is going to be memorable or exceptionally exciting. But if you take the sit-back-and-watch approach to it. You should find it enjoyable and intriguing in it's own way.
Positives:Solid storytelling. And good performances. The script is crafted and written in a different and more effective way from the A-typical exorcism film. Also some nice, key drama moments. And a few cool little twists.
Negatives:The demons origins were a cliche reveal in the movie. A disappointing moment in some respects also.
Overall:Three stars out of four.