The Last Exorcism (2010)

Plot: In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the evangelical Reverend Cotton Marcus was raised by his father to be a preacher. He agrees that the filmmaker Iris Reisen and the cameraman Daniel Moskowitz make a documentary about his life. Cotton tells that when her wife Shanna Marcus had troubles in the delivery of their son Justin, he prioritized the doctor help to God and since then he questions his faith. Further, he tells that exorcisms are frauds but the results are good for the believers because they believe it is true. When Cotton is summoned by the farmer Louis Sweetzer to perform an exorcism in his daughter Nell, Cotton sees the chance to prove to the documentary crew what he has just told.

Ok, another film I have been wanting to see for a good few months so I was quite excited when I got to sit down and watch this. Exorcisim movies have always been one of my favourite genre types dating right back to the original Exorcist movie. This one is shot with a hand held which you either love or hate. I quite like the style, The Blair Witch is on my top 10 list, so the shaky cam did not bother me. Infact I think it adds to the realism of it all.

She's possessed, no question, look at her!

So the film opens at a slow pace, lots of character development and background stuff. This can sometimes be boring but I have to say that the leading man, Patrick Fabian, does such a convincing job as the preacher, and is very likeable so all this dialouge stuff is no problem. Eventually, however, he sets out to the spooky farm to do the exorcist. Things then promise to hot up. The only problem is, they don't, not really anyway.

She's getting madder!

The whole issue of is she possessed or isn't she drags on through nearly the entire second half of the film. This isn't a bad thing but all the posters and TV spots for this film would have you believe there are scenes of demonic possesion and there isn't. The creepy poster above does not take place at all in the film which is a bit naughty of the studio really. Despite this the film is quite good. There are a few scarey moments and all of the cast do their job well. The script is sharp and it is this that saves the movie.

Kama Sutra time.

Now, the ending. Some people loved it, some people hated it. I liked it. I think. It all ties up quite nicely, the twist is unexpected and the nastiness of it all comes across quite well. It is not a Hollywood ending which I was expecting so you should applaud the filmaker for his brave decision.

All in all this film was just above average. The cast were all very good. The few scares that there were, were ok. It could have been much better, but also it could have been utter shite. I expected more but ultimately I did see a good film and you can't grumble at that. Too much. Maybe a little bit.

You guessed it, Kelly wouldn't watch this film incase the demon came out the TV and got her.

Summary:

 Great because:

• Cast are great
• One or two scarey moments
• Realism was a nice touch
• Twisty ending

 Crap because:

• The posters were advertising a different film.
• Could have had more demonic stuff

Hamster Rating: 3

Gore: 1

Scares: 2