I thought the movie “
The Exorcism of Emily Rose” was a great movie, its incredible that a movie now a days was able to convey a beautiful spiritual message, and be entertaining at the same time. Here are some experts of what one Catholic Author (
Fr. Brian W. Harrison, O.S. of Seattle Catholic) wrote about it: (emphasis mine)
“I have just been to see another new movie about the Church, with the full expectation of being provoked into circulating yet another “thumbs-down” warning about it.
*Well … Halleluiah! Would you believe that that particular expectation of mine has just been smashed — astonishingly, wonderfully! — into smithereens? Can anything morally or spiritually good come out of Hollywood — especially in this day and age, more than half a century after the “good old” days when some movie moguls were (putatively at least) “on our side”? *
To my utter amazement, I now have to admit that the answer is 'Yes"!* Divine grace — actual, if perhaps not yet necessarily sanctifying — may be having its effect even in Tinseltown!”*
““The Exorcism of Emily Rose” gets it right*. Scarily, yes, but at the same time beautifully**, powerfully — inspiringly. This one is the real thing, folks.”*
“As a matter of fact, Fr. Moore (played by Tom Wilkinson) comes across as more than just an honest-to-goodness, orthodox priest (wearing his clerical suit and collar whenever he’s out of his prison uniform). He’s an exemplary, prayerful priest. A holy priest. A old-style priest who knows how to talk back sternly in Latin when the demon croaks at him mockingly in the Church’s language. He is quietly dignified in his humiliation in prison and in court. This priest manifests true Catholic pastoral charity and zeal for souls, and a Christ-like willingness to sacrifice his own temporal reputation and freedom for the sake of telling the truth about Emily. Moreover, Wilkinson’s portrayal of this character is totally credible, with his acting rising to a superb level in the last court-room scene where he gives his final testimony about Emily. For my money, Wilkinson’s Father Moore — here in the dark Third Millennium, no less! — is a thousand times better than Bing Crosby’s superficial “cool”, crooning priest characters from the supposed golden days of the 'forties and 'fifties. In short, this was a film that left me feeling proud to be wearing my Roman collar as I exited the theater!”
““Emily Rose” has no foul or blasphemous language (even though it’s about demonic possession), no sex, and no nudity. So the most deeply traditional Catholic parents can see, and allow their kids to see, this film, provided only that the latter are old enough not to be traumatized by the scary scenes.”
*“You should know that there is a simply wonderful, profoundly moving, surprise ending to the film which
puts that whole scenario in a totally unexpected, supernatural light. I assure you you’ll leave the theater after seeing “Emily Rose” with your faith strengthened, your spirit elevated — and probably with tears welling in your eyes.”
““I urge you not to miss it — and take your older children along too. As far as I’m concerned, it is a masterpiece: one of the finest and most moving films I’ve ever seen in my life, and indeed, a worthy companion to “The Passion of the Christ”.”
The complete article is:
http://www.seattlecatholic.com/a050921.html