Lasting Evil

Rating: Null/10 (28 March 2004)

It's solely because of this movie that Friedkin remains in Hollywood. 'Connection' let him to pass off his lazy method as "documentary-style", but the last 30 years have flaunted his ineptness. All he will likely be remembered for is his minute contribution to the ever-changing world of car chases and this. Everything else is insipid trash.
This is your only spoiler warning...
This is his best work for two reasons, both related to film as an art form. There is so much detail in the subtexts. The Catholic church is shown as theological gangsters and the doubting priest is a total product of the late 60s counter-culture. Strange, from anti-religion to part of religion. Of course, it all boils down to superstition versus science. It took 'Ghostbusters' to change that mentality in the favor of science and nerds.
Secondly, I believe movies didn't become worth listening to for sound design until the 70s (I'm not referring to noisy trash like 'Star Wars' and 'Close Encounters') and this is one of the better examples. It isn't as effective as 'Catch-22' and 'Apocalypse Now', but it forges a bridge to the mastery of audio in the 80s. Also, I should mention the Iraqi desert in the opener. Why do so many visual narratives use deserts whether the Leone Westerns, 'Close Encounters', 'Hulk', and even RoadRunner cartoons? What is it about that environment? I love it! At least Friedkin didn't screw it up here even though his camera is all zoom, zoom, zoom.
Something should be said of the presence of Islam in this movie. Few horror films, let alone religion-associated ones, include this in any form; so it's fairly unique. Also, compare Burstyn's single mom character to any Spielberg associated horror film: one is dark, the other is optimistic.
Funny, the one-eyed blacksmith sees all and the crude director's head gets reversed. Meanwhile, the Kinderman character critiques everything.
Final Analysis = = Midrange Material