Stands the test of time

Rating: 10/10 (4 August 2007)

This is one of the few films, specially horror films, that have stood the test of time, being as frightening, groundbreaking and thought provoking as it was back in the day. Director William Friedkin relies on creating an unsettling sense of dread, that grows to the point of becoming suffocating, as the film progresses, and it's approach of a documentary film-making style adds to the film's authenticity and 'spookiness'. Still, it's not only about scaring the audience out of their wits, as it is just as great as a truly heartbreaking character driven drama, and it shows, thanks to William Peter Blatty's amazing screenplay, based on his own novel. As a matter of fact, I find the lead characters' struggle with their own inner demons much more effective than the infamous exorcism/possession sequences. Linda Blair, barely 14 years old when she made this, gives a jawdropping performance in the role of Regan MacNeil, the possessed pre-teen girl that would become an icon of the genre. It's a shame she didn't have a very succsseful career, because judging from this film alone, she could've really been a terrific actress. Ellen Burstyn is tremendous as the child's mother, and is probably the most interestnig character in the film along with Father Karras, exquisitely played by Jason Miller. We also have Ingmar Bergman's star Max von Sydow, who despite being the title character, has small screen time, but as always, gives a haunting, memorable performance. Overall, one of the genre's definite classics, that surely deserves it's praise. 10/10