Wow!

Rating: 10/10 (31 October 2007)

When this movie came out, there were more than a few people who were very disturbed by it. My mother was one of them. She stayed for the entire movie, but told me there were people literally crawling up the aisles in the middle of the movie. She called our pastor to talk about how the movie bothered her. That the movie bothered people speaks volumes. The topic of evil, true evil, invading our lives and the lives of our loved ones is one we rarely face, but the Exorcist forced many to face it. But the topic is a gripping one. The story was well written. You are drawn in to the story and soon feel the terror of the principals. The acting was outstanding. Linda Blair was very good in her role. She was believable as the young girl and she was extremely creepy when Regan was "possessed." Jason Miller, who was new to the silver screen, was incredible as Father Karras. Of course, Max Von Sydow, Lee J. Cobb and Ellen Burstyn were outstanding. While the acting was great, some credit should be given the casting direction, not only for casting the actors I've mentioned, but for the inspired casting of non-actors in some critical roles. First among these were Vasiliki Maliaros, who was cast as the mother of Father Karras. She had no previous acting experience and was discovered working in a Greek restaurant. It was her only movie. There is also Father Thomas Bermingham and Father William O'Malley. O'Malley was very good as Father Dyer and his acting was not only extremely good, but if you had told me he was a priest while I was watching the Exorcist, I wouldn't have believed you. I thought he was a trained and experienced actor. The direction of this movie was second to none. Not overly loud, but not silent, shocking when it needed to be, but not so much so that the shocking moments lose their punch. The movie starts quietly and builds to it's climax. It isn't rushed, but was actually crafted to keep you in suspense and giving you the shock of your life. This is how horror movies should be made.