Chuck's Top Ten Movies of 2005 - Number 10

Courtesy of renowned movie watcher, collector, and critic, Chuck Fournier, we bring you his top ten movie list of 2005. We also apologize for the lateness of this post. Now, here's Chuck's number 10 review:

The Exorcism of Emily Rose

I'm not sure what kind of a movie I would call this exactly. There are some horror elements in the movie and I think some people would assume it's a horror movie but it's not. I think of the film as a courtroom drama - A case involving the death of a young woman who was left in the hands of a local priest.

The priest is charged for the death of Emily Rose because of his apperent irrisponsibility in taking care of her when she became seriously ill. The prosecuter claims that he ignored the diagnosis made by doctors about her mental health, and instead of keeping her on the proper medication, tried to help her by other methods.

The defence argues that The priest was in fact helping her by not putting her on the medication, since the priest believed that she was not suffering from mental illness, but was in fact possesed by a demon.

Now you can see how this can get pretty interesting, especially since the movie is apperently based on a true story. The movie was unbiased, and offered both sides of the argument. It didn't take sides with the priest's beliefs, or the prosecuters position. It offers the evidence and lets you decide what is going on.

The performances where very well done and the characters well written. I was glad they didn't go over the top with the demon-possesed element of the movie. That's all been done before. Instead it's portrayed realistically, but at the same time, it's pretty damn scary. You feel so sorry for this poor woman and wonder how it got so bad that it leads to her death. You also feel for the priest, who honestly believes he was doing the right thing.

Another intruiging character is the lawyer defending the priest, played by Laura Linney. A very strong, experienced, and bold woman that, while working on the case, begins to question her own motives in defending this man.

This is a very intelligently written story with strong characters and acting. It was a powerful movie, and I think it will generate some interesting discussion for those who see it as more than just another horror/possession story.