Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Michael Allen
Director: Daniel Stamm.
Writers: Huck Botko, and Andrew Gurland.
The Last Exorcism is another one of those pseudo-documentaries, where the camerawork is poor and the lighting is even poorer. This title was well received in theatres back in August 2010 and now this Eli Roth (Hostel) produced film is available on DVD and Blu-Ray, as of January 4th. Christianity continues to influence film, despite Pagans taking the last scenes of this sometimes thrilling horror piece. Slow in the beginning and sometimes dripping in cheese, The Last Exorcism quickly builds steam with help from actors Patrick Fabian ("Crash") and Ashley Bell (The Day).
The plot breaks down as follows: Reverend Marcus Cotton (Fabian) loses faith in a higher being when he sees exorcisms in the paper going horribly wrong. He decides to scrap his own exorcism business, after the death of seemingly demonically possessed young boy. Vowing to perform one last exorcism for some much needed cash, Cotton finds evidence of hellish works in a tormented young girl (Bell). But, can this irresolute preacher find God, before it is too late?
The final frames would say that evil triumphs once again, as a fiery being towers over all others. The final showdown occurs off-screen, with the camera crew fighting for their non-Christian believing lives. The abrupt conclusion will leave some feeling robbed, while others will understand that the battle between dark forces and light continues both daily and even eternally.
The acting of Fabian begins much as a fool would. He dances, he gesticulates and the crowds are entertained by his four-year old posturings. Yet, there is depth here. When the tone turns from comedic to serious, Fabian is assuring viewers that this is real. The blood smears add to the fantasy, while Ashley Bell cements the story in the believable. Her acting talents show quiet innocence turning to a conflicted, vulnerable side and then into someone terrified, when giving birth to a demon named Abalon. This newborn is definitely not human and both these actors shine.
For those searching for answers to the final scene, just let the imagination go and you will see some of director Daniel Stamm's ability to shock and confuse. A devout group of Pagans living in the backwoods of Baton Rouge is unlikely, but it is nice to see other, more obscure religions, other than Christianity, surviving in film reels. Also, Stamm would have viewers believe that Nell has given birth to a demon previously held below. The question repeats: does Cotton have the ability to cast it back down?
Horror movie viewers will have to see the film for yourself to decide. However, the conclusion is ambiguous and purposeful in the same breath, in order to make watchers think or conjecture. This is not a film without its flaws e.g. dark lighting, shoddy camera work, and a short runtime, but this is also a film to be contemplated, after the final reels have long since died.
Overall: 6.5 out of 10.
Another review of the film at the Examiner:
The Last Exorcism Reviewed at the Examiner
The film's homepage:
The Official Website for The Last Exorcism
Available on DVD and Blu-Ray as of January 4th, 2011:
Advertise Here - Contact me Michael Allen at 28DLA
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Posted in: 2010,2011,ashley bell,daniel stamm,eli roth,exorcism movie review,horror,huck botko,movie review,patrick fabian,purchase,the last exorcism
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