Linda Thomas: at the movies

The Exorcism of Emily Rose
Rating: PG -13

Overall rating: 2 out of 5 stars
Best for Ages: 17+

Ages 3 - 7: Red
Ages 8 - 12: Red
Ages 13 - 17:Red
Violence Amount: Yellow
Violence Portrayal: Yellow
Fear: Yellow
Illegal / Harmful: Green
Language: Yellow
Nudity: Green
Sex: Green

Review:
A Catholic priest (Tom Wilkinson) is arrested for the death of a young girl, after he performed a church authorized exorcism. This movie is based on a true story. Satanic spirits have supposedly possessed the body of Emily Rose. She's lost weight, injured herself, contorts her body in strange ways and speaks in foreign languages. Her family enlists the aid of the local priest to try and help her. Emily Rose dies during the exorcism and the priest is blamed. His lawyer (Laura Linney) is an agnostic and she does not believe what her client tells her has happened. The movie goes back and forth from the exorcism to a court case to a spiritual theme. It is not sure what kind of movie it really wants to be. When the case begins, a surprise witness comes forward. People start to die and unseen forces threaten the lawyer. People begin to believe the priest, as the case continues. The themes of this movie are mature and they include intense and frightening sequences. There are also some disturbing images of a person possessed and out of control of their body and life. I would not recommend this movie to children under the age of 17. You need to have a firm hold on your religious beliefs and some maturity to deal with the issues presented.