The Possession (2012)
Directed by: Ole Bornedal
Screenplay by: Juliet Snowden and Stiles White
Genre: Horror | Thriller
Running Time: 92 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Viewed: Theater
Fear the demon that doesn't fear God.
[IMDb]
Comments: When I decided I would go see The Possession this weekend, I had a fairly good idea that it wasn't going to be very good. Considering the mediocre reviews and the fact that I've seen every "bigger" possession film of the last decade or so, I pretty much was certain there would be nothing new in this film. And there wasn't. Despite this, I was entertained enough by The Possession during my two hours in the theater.
- There were two things I enjoyed about the movie. The first was some of the camerawork and stylistic choices that Ole Bornedal made. Some of the shots looked really good, and the lighting was really well done. In particular, I liked red lighting used toward the end of the film. It gave a mediocre film a bit of style and worth.
- The second thing I enjoyed was Jeffrey Dean Morgan. He's by no means the greatest actor ever, but I always like the guy. His personality is easily relatable, and I always find myself enjoying the oft-mediocre films he's in. (Morgan's also in the upcoming remake Red Dawn, so I'll probably have to go see that now too.)
- By far, the worst aspect is the shitty script. The screenplay has absolutely no flow, and the whole film constantly felt jumpy. There's no real build to the girl's possession, and then BAM! - there's some full force Exorcist shit going on. Plus Kyra Sedgewick's character is awful. She's supposed to be an overprotective and somewhat vindictive ex of Morgan. However, she ends up coming off as a complete cunt due to the writing. I not-so-secretly hoped that she would've been killed during the proceedings.
- And finally, as I realized toward the final act that this film had no hope at actually being good, I was hoping that Bornedal would take The Possession toward the ridiculous rather than the conventional (the film was produced by Sam Raimi, after all). Toward the finale, Morgan picks up a Jewish exorcist dude to rid the demon from his little girl (who the crew had so much demon make-up on that it looked like she was auditioning for one of The Crow sequels). Said exorcist was played by none other than Matisyahu, that Jewish reggae dude who had that one song back in the day. I was really hoping the two would show up to the exorcism bumping this while loading up with yamakas and getting ready to kick some demon ass. Come on, tell me that wouldn't rule.
- There were two things I enjoyed about the movie. The first was some of the camerawork and stylistic choices that Ole Bornedal made. Some of the shots looked really good, and the lighting was really well done. In particular, I liked red lighting used toward the end of the film. It gave a mediocre film a bit of style and worth.
- The second thing I enjoyed was Jeffrey Dean Morgan. He's by no means the greatest actor ever, but I always like the guy. His personality is easily relatable, and I always find myself enjoying the oft-mediocre films he's in. (Morgan's also in the upcoming remake Red Dawn, so I'll probably have to go see that now too.)
- By far, the worst aspect is the shitty script. The screenplay has absolutely no flow, and the whole film constantly felt jumpy. There's no real build to the girl's possession, and then BAM! - there's some full force Exorcist shit going on. Plus Kyra Sedgewick's character is awful. She's supposed to be an overprotective and somewhat vindictive ex of Morgan. However, she ends up coming off as a complete cunt due to the writing. I not-so-secretly hoped that she would've been killed during the proceedings.
- And finally, as I realized toward the final act that this film had no hope at actually being good, I was hoping that Bornedal would take The Possession toward the ridiculous rather than the conventional (the film was produced by Sam Raimi, after all). Toward the finale, Morgan picks up a Jewish exorcist dude to rid the demon from his little girl (who the crew had so much demon make-up on that it looked like she was auditioning for one of The Crow sequels). Said exorcist was played by none other than Matisyahu, that Jewish reggae dude who had that one song back in the day. I was really hoping the two would show up to the exorcism bumping this while loading up with yamakas and getting ready to kick some demon ass. Come on, tell me that wouldn't rule.
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