It's a good movie. Scary and enjoyable at the same time!

Rating: 7/10 (18 February 1999)

"The Devil's Advocate" is another one of those devil movies, like "Rosemary's Baby", "The Omen", and "The Exorcist"(which I thought was very good). But "Devil's Advocate" is very enjoyable. And although it's very scary at some times, this movie was a lot of fun to watch, and maybe learn from. It reuses the idea from "The Exorcist"; the devil is going to take possession of someone, in order to lure and possess the ones most vulnerable to him. However, "The Exorcist" was extremely serious and very tough to deal with after you finished watching it! "Devil's Advocate" has a little change of heart. It has the cool Al Pacino as the devil, and Keanu Reeves as his victim. But instead of torturing him, Pacino simply showers him with gifts, money, and of course, women. The women in this story weave a tapestry of irresistible temptation, which is why I think it had all the nudity in it. And Al Pacino looks like he's having the time of his life. Pacino is usually serious in his films, but now, he's playing his role with guesto. The only problem is, Keanu is taking this all too seriously. He needs to lighten up a bit and attack Pacino with gusto right back. His overacting makes him seem more vulnerable to Pacino, and to some, less likable. But the real seriousness of the film is how Keanu proves the "guilty" not guilty. It's horrifyingly true! We live in a nation where rapists, suspected murderers, and other sickos can weasel their way out of conviction! And worse yet, the people who are innocent are shafted and at a disadvantage, while the lawyers and criminals can get to the top of a mega-corporation. We see it in insurance companies, where people go through "drive-in" health care, and the insurance managers are millionaires as a result. It's sickening and morally wrong! But in our country, we can get away with it! And people like that, who is symbolized by the Keanu Reeves character, are going to come face to face with the devil in the future! That is my interpretation of it. I highly recommend this film! Though I warn you, there might be a few differences in the versions of the film you rent, and the versions of the film you decide to buy. What I mean is, an ominous statue with people in it, which is seen in Pacino's penthouse, plays a key role in emphasizing the lustful temptation of Keanu. But, the statue itself is an unauthorized reproduction of sculptor Frederick Hart's art! Hart sued, and in order to release the film on video, they released it as it was in the theatre, and eventually, re-edited the statue for the final video release. I think that the impact of the statue wasn't as powerful, judging from the fact that the re-edited statue has no people in it! Luckily, I purchased it on disc at the right time, before the editing took place. Try to get the original if you can, and enjoy "The Devil's Advocate"!