Who Ya Gonna Call!

Rating: 8/10 (20 July 2013)

This film is recommended.
Who doesn't like a good scary ghost story now and then? One that delivers goosebumps or makes us jump with every dreaded bump in the night. The Conjuring miraculously reappears from that old fashion haunted house movie staple of the past before disappearing into the haze of formulaic set-ups updated for today's movie-going audiences. The film toys with our fears of the unknown, wisely keeps the horror hidden for our own imaginations to work overtime, and plays with our own insecurities and foibles.
The obvious story may sound all so familiar, but the filmmaking isn't. James Wan skillfully directs this supernatural horror film which (of course) is based on supposedly true events. The film relies heavily on our past experiences as moviegoers as it successfully mixes our cinematic memories of Poltergeist, The Haunting, The Amityville Horror, The Exorcist, Child's Play and other films of this genre with more recent offerings like The Blair Witch Project, Insidious, and the Paranormal Activity series. (By the way, Wan directed Insidious so he's had some practice with eerie sound effects and quick edits. He also directed Saw but he shrewdly downplays any gore and sex with this outing. It's R-rating is a bit surprising as most of the violence is suggestive and not overt.) Special kudos also go out to Wan's long-time collaborator and cinematographer John R. Leonetti for his atmospheric imagery and powerful use of lighting and shadows.
The plot: It's 1971. Carolyn and Roger Perrone (Lilli Palmer and Ron Livingston) are the proud parents of five wonderful daughters and a 17th century farmhouse listed at a ridiculously low price. Needless to say the Perrone clan is one excited and happy family until mysterious goings-on go on. Terrorized by evil forces, The Perrones are unable to leave due to economic hardships (an apt touch with today's housing market woes). Who they gonna call? Help is soon on the way in the form of Ed and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson), seekers of the paranormal. These ghost-hunters believe the family's story and will help rid the house of demons and bad spirits.
Written by Chad and Carey Hayes, The Conjuring avoids most of the pitfalls of so many previous horror tales. The film tries to remain credible by having its characters make logical choices for the most part and still create some tension and suspense before descending into full supernatural hyperbole. The film also tries to keep a serious tone throughout all the strange occurrences, casting credence wherever it can. The Conjuring purports to be based on actual activities documented in a case study by the real-life Warrens, although the fanciful prologue never quite gels with the rest of the film and the sound effects are all too obvious.
However, the strong cast, especially Wilson and Farmiga as the paranormal investigators, help to elevate the familiar story and bring with them an air of believability. The setting, with its 70's pop score and details in its art direction, creates a period flavor that lends an authenticity and legitimizes the reality of the ghostly activity that propagated during that era.
The Conjuring is an extremely well-made supernatural ghost story that more than delivers the thrills and chills one expects from this genre. The filmmakers are indeed completely possessed, fortunately, with the right amount of talent and enough style to conjure up a nifty little tale of horror that today's moviegoers can truly enjoy. GRADE: B
ANY COMMENTS: Please contact me at: jadepietro@rcn.com