Everybody knows the film The Exorcist (1973) which was based on the brilliant novel by William Peter Blatty. The author based his story on the exorcism of Roland Doe in 1949 in Cottage City, Maryland. This film is based upon those real events and the people involved. They even feature the real house in which the exorcisms took place.
Though this is a low budget film, writer and director David Trotti does a good job of building on the original story by bringing in a new couple to the house. The house has stood empty for years, only vandals have entered to tag their names on the walls. Then enter Amy who is one of the last surviving members of the family. She doesn't believe in the evil all she sees is a house ready to be lived in. Though before she and her fiancé Luke can even move in strange things start to happen...
The story that Trotti gives us is strong and believable; if you believe in evil, daemons, and devils that is.
What surprised me the most is the level of skill the actors bring to the movie. Amy Holland Pennell portrays Amy very well, bringing the character a depth of strength and surety, which is put to the test throughout the film. Mark Holzum as Luke does a wonderful job of portraying a loving fiancé who is having doubts about his girlfriend's sanity and the possibility of the evil which lurks in the house. Connor Trinneer plays Gordon, Amy's cousin, and shows a warm and caring compassion towards her. Peter Mayer gives a wonderful portrayal of Father Halloran who goes from pure fear at just the thought of the house and the exorcism which took place there to controlled fear when he realises that Amy needs his help.
The story does suffer from a slow midsection, which I can forgive as this is his true first writing and directing debut, but it does pick up for a worthy and respectable ending. The worst thing about the movie though is the camera work. There are sections where the camera shakes so much it's practically vomit-inducing and really spoils the movie.
There are some nice parts to the story and the film which make this a watch once movie if you're interested in possession and exorcism or The Exorcist story, which I was. I may even watch it again sometime, though not in the near future.
