Review of Audrey Rose (1977) by Ryan B — 30 Jul 2012

The premise feels not much of a stretch from The Exorcist: tweenage daughter is having bad dreams, prototypical 70's neurotic Manhattan Mom, Dad stoic and unable to think outside that tiny testosterone-enforced box etc. Despite the obvious rip-off, this one starts off fairly compelling and creepy. But, once the supernatural element is rendered rather bland, the plot becomes silly and insipid.

The acting from Hopkins is great despite some poor writing at times - in fact, the writing is all but Airplane-esque when given to the supporting cast (see the courtroom scene as just one glaring example). Marsha Mason is classic, almost a caricature of the Excorcist mom; Beck (Dad) is the Marlboro Man remade as Wall Street something-or-other.

Finally, Susan Swift, debuting at 13 years of age, is wonderfully creepy at times (think Regan), and equally irritating at others; ultimately I'm left feeling cold towards her well-being, and a crucial foundation of this film is destroyed.

I was entertained through most of this film, but the gut-level 'care' factor was definitely lost for me around midway, along with most intellectual interest in the telling of the story, save for some mild curiosity regarding how the director was going to wrap things up.

And, you guessed correctly, this was further silliness in my opinion.