The Rite
Give me a 'T'!
Quick, think of a movie where the Devil
possesses someone and it's up to 2 priests, one suffering from a
crisis of faith, to exorcise it. You're probably thinking The
Exorcist, right? That's the problem with just about every
possession/exorcism horror movie; they all sound like The Exorcist.
It's almost unfair to compare anything that came after The Exorcist
because they're just not going to come close. People were convinced
that Satan was actually imprinted onto the film and people
legitimately fled theaters in horror. You can't beat press like that.
It's up to newer movies to set themselves apart and be special, not
just rehash the same old thing. It helps to have Anthony Hopkins.
The Rite is a 2011 horror movie
starring Colin O'Donoghue (The Tudors, Proof) as Michael Kovak and
Anthony Hopkins (Silence Of The Lambs, Thor) as Father Lucas Trevant.
Michael is disillusioned as a mortician, following in his father's
(Rutger Hauer, Blade Runner, Hobo With A Shotgun) footsteps and
decides to go to seminary school. He does not feel a true connection
with God and even questions his existence. After being ordained,
Michael writes a letter of resignation that is rejected by his
superior. He is warned that his scholarship would be revoked and he
would owe $100,000 in loans. After giving last rites to a woman dying
after an accident, Michael is sent to Rome to study exorcisms in
exchange for loan payments. In class, he meets a reporter named
Angelina (Alice Braga, City of God, Predators) who is writing about
exorcisms. Still an unbeliever, Michael is sent to see Father Lucas,
a Welsh priest experienced in exorcisms. They meet with a young
pregnant girl named Rosaria who appears to be possessed. Despite
witnessing strange events, like Rosaria coughing up nails, Michael
remains skeptical. A possessed Rosaria beings to address Michael and
ask him very specific questions about his father and his faith. Her
condition worsens and she is committed to a hospital where she
eventually dies. Father Lucas is distraught and begins to act
strangely. Michael learns that his father has had a stroke. He speaks
to his father on the phone, but it interrupted by a doctor saying his
father died earlier in the day. Michael begins to hear various voices
torturing and testing him. Along with Angelina, Michael goes to
Father Lucas only to find that he himself has become possessed. Will
Michael be able to save Father Lucas and himself?
"Made in China"? What the Hell?!
The Rite is based on “actual events”
from the book The Making of a Modern Exorcist.
I'm not really sure what their definition of actual events are, but
it gives an interesting perspective to the movie. Like I said,
it's hard to not compare The Rite to The Exorcist. Both movies are
very similar with the main difference being which character has a
crisis of faith. This is your standard exorcism movie with very
little in the way of actual horror. The spiritual journey of the
characters is fine, if not a tad bit predictable. Sure, there's a few
jolts here and there, but nothing particularly scary. If you're the
religious type, you may find yourself frightened and affected with
all the demon talk, but your average horror fan won't find much
terror. The cinematography is very eerie and the shots of Rome give
the movie an air of authenticity not seen in some other
religious-heavy horror movies.
Anthony Hopkins really carries the
movie. He can't act in a McDonald's commercial and make it
compelling. He essentially plays two roles in the movie, one as
Father Lucas and one as a demonic possession. He does both well, but
some of the lines he is given as the demon are unintentionally
hilarious. I almost feel bad that Sir Anthony had to say some of
these ridiculous things. It's not the content that's bad, it just
sounds like a 15 year old wrote them. Colin O'Donoghue gives a tepid
performance, almost unsure of what he should be doing or feeling.
Rutger Hauer is only briefly in the movie, which is a shame, but he
does well enough. Despite some very good acting, the movie is way too
long at almost 2 hours and the pace is far too slow. There's some
action, but it's not enough for such a long movie. The effects and
makeup are good, but I could have used more.
Does this collar make me look fat?
Based on the story, The Rite is very
similar to The Exorcist. The Rite tries to become it's own movie with
a more polished Hollywoodification of the whole exorcism genre. It's
stylish and looks pretty, but lacks any real action or horror.
Anthony Hopkins is great, but can only carry a movie so far. It's too
long and the pacing is off, muting any real sense of dread. The Rite
is by no means a bad movie, it's just OK and could have been much
better. If you want to see a good acting performance, The Rite worth
your time. Otherwise, no need to rush out and see it.
5.5/10
