This celebration of language and film took me a few times watching to understand. I know, art is about being open to interpretation. I just had to find mine. It was meant to be grotesque at times but in the end I think it was a tale of triumph and justice. Stephen Graham plays his role flawlessly. I was even fooled by his delivery at times. He was just so good at what he did. It didn't look like he drew a proper banishing pentacle. I may not have seen clearly from the angle i was at being a viewer though. My understanding was that is what was intended as a trap for the devil. His delivery of the glossolalia was a bit disturbing. I think it was meant to be. ( I speak in tongues; well sing lullabies to myself really when I'm falling asleep, and i sound like some elven princess. I'm a follower of Jesus.) To my knowledge a demonic tongue or language is characterized by its profanity. At first I took the priest to be a second beast type character. I'm still going with that revelation theory. Lena Headey was brilliant in this. She looked stunning even as the devil's fiancé. I think that the MAC counter would have called her sorceress couture fab. The smoky eye with a little nude lipstick and slightly disheveled hair worked. I was also working that look in 2009. 'just a little bit. I thought that Pip Carter played his role well too. I've got to say I'm more terrifying when i clear my throat but that bit i think was just for laughs. He seemed like a decent fellow throughout, which brings me to my thesis on this and its that we ought to have compassion for the devil. I've soul searched on this one a lot of times being Christian and having seen the horrors that there are in the world. I believe the right thing is not to love Satan, because he will take advantage of love, but have compassion and mercy for his soul. And never judge a book by its cover. you never really know who's wearing the white hat.
