I had high expectations for this movie. A creepy, spiritual thriller-flick starring the closest man to Heaven: Anthony Hopkins. That’s him down there.
It also starred Colin O’Donoghue as Michael Kovak and Alice Braga as Angeline. That’s them there.
Now, in conversation I have heard a lot of people say they were sorely disappointed by “The Rite”. The Excorcist was scarier; didn’t deliver; wasn’t what I expected.
Gutted for you.
“The Rite” tells the story of Michael Kovak, a young man who flees to the priesthood to avoid becoming a mortician like much of his family. However, as he nears the end of four years of study and is soon to take his vows, he realises that he cannot commit himself to this life without a stronger faith – or any faith – and withdraws from the programme.
The Father Superior is not pleased that one of his promising students (aside from having failed theology in his exams) is trying to leave and instead sends him to the Vatican to take a course in exorcism (where he meets the beautiful Angeline).
Psycotic illness. Forgery. Reasons to doubt demonic possession pour out of him and so he is sent to Father Lucas, an old ex0rcist who lives with no-one but a bunch of Rome’s cats for company.
Arguments, demons, signs and wonders ensue. I’m trying to avoid spoilers (credit here please!)
I had gone expecting great things and I felt the movie delivered. Anthony Hopkins played a complete blinder. I’m so inspired by him (if I ever get an eighteenth that talented, I’ll die a happy woman!) and this made me roughly a hundred times more inspired. He’s so talented and the dramatic, intense ending was a really demanding scene for anyone else but he took it all in his stride and made. it. brilliant.
Colin O’Donoghue also put in a great performance, doing everything from scepticism to fear to confidence, faith, love… it was a well-layered character and he pulled it off well. The side-story with his mortician father and the death of (I presume) his mother was, at times, a little confusing and misleading and the regular repetition of the flashback seemed a tad pointless and frustrating in that, but it was all eventually drawn together.
Alice Braga didn’t get as much opportunity for depth in her character as he had, but she played well. It could have been a very cliche part but she kept it nice and fresh and changing. Well done that lady.
I did expect it to be a little more frightening, but I’m not complaining. It was an enjoyable and creepy film that had a pleasant ending.
“The Rite” is based on a true story.
“Faith becomes you. Stick with it. Keep fighting the good fight with all thy might.”
– Anthony Hopkins as “Father Lucas”
* * * * / – I’d recommend this to anyone, particularly anyone who appreciates quality acting above all else.
