Was never that good, and has aged very poorly

Rating: 6/10 (14 October 2000)

I am in my 40s and love old movies, and am very dismayed when I see the reaction of younger people to great old movies. I went to see the Exorcist wondering why I couldn't remember the details very well, like I can other movies of that era. Its because it just is not that good a movie. The problem, as usual is the script, its not well written, much of the dialogue is about very little. The pacing of the film is unendurably slow. That can work, but you need much tighter direction and a better script. There is very little tension, and the direction is flaccid. The opening Iraq scene is totally lifeless.
Susan Sarandon has said that any scene does not advance the plot or comment on the characters or themes should be cut. This movie breaks that rule big time - it is full of dead space- people walking,nothing happening, uninteresting dialogue.
There was a long list of music credits at the end, but it seemed to me most of the soundtract was almost inaudible, at least where I saw it.
I think most of the reputation of this movie comes from Linda Blair's antics, which I guess were once shocking but now are nothing more than comedy. Similar movies of this era, like "The Omen" and especially Rosemary's Baby, are much better written and still pack some punch.
I wish I liked this movie more, I really do.