Dylan documentary gives insight to singer’s life

MICHELLE MORAN STAFFWRITER MLM724@CABRINI EDU

DIANA ASHJIAN A&E EDITOR DA725@CABRINI EDU

The fearful gasps of audiences across the country spoke volumes of the uneasiness that viewing demonic possession and exorcism can bring.

“The Exorcism of Emily Rose,” which opened in theaters Sept. 9, 2005, explores the possibility of evil as a threat to the human soul and whether such a threat should be considered tempered by reality when neglect, death and even murder are concerned in a court of law

Directed by Scott Derrickson, who also co-wrote the script with Paul Harris Boardman, “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” almost wants to redefine the morality of negligent homicide using the law to do so, since the film combines a legal tale with one of horror

This is evident when Tom Wilkinson, who plays Father Moore, performs an exorcism or “Rituale Romanum” and is accused of it when Emily Rose dies.

The audience knows that Emily Rose, played by Jennifer Carpenter, is dead from the very beginning of the movie because the opening scene shows Tom Wilkinson entering her home of shabby, flapping boards, complete with a beehive in the dead of winter. Upon entering, he finds a very confused and shocked family and a lifeless shell of what was once their daughter, lying in a despicable heap of broken teeth and bones, as well as countless bruises and bald spots.

Without even a chance for Wilkinson to take in what has happened, he is arrested for negligent homicide because there is no documentation or argument that there was ever a doctor either present for the attempted exorcism or even contacted, at first.

The rest of the film focuses on his trial with Wilkinson’s defense lawyer, played by Laura Linney, trying to prove that Emily Rose was, in fact, possessed by demonic spirits or at least not diagnosed properly when she was seeking medical help.

Both Wilkinson and Linney are shown as being haunted by evil forces throughout the film and always waking up at 3 a.m., the devil’s supposed witching hour, and unable to sleep afterward.

The opposing prosecution deemed such occurrences as nonsense and essentially snickers at the very mention of dark, blackhooded figures. Accordingly, the prosecution felt that multilingual proclamations such as, “I am the one who was with Judas” and “I am the one who was with Cain” made by either Emily Rose or Satan, who has allegedly possessed her, were ridiculous.

Linney, who sensed an inevitable defeat by the prosecution, tiresomely made her final plea to the jury, asking them to consider that it was never a fact that Emily Rose was epileptic, just like it was never considered a fact that she wasn’t possessed. She asked them, “Are we really alone in this world?”

Linney doesn’t try to make the jury believe that there is a “spirit world” that they should be aware of, but rather tries to convince them not to completely discount it.

Announced as being based on a true story, Wilkinson is finally found guilty. However, he is not sentenced to any time in prison due to a jury recommendation

The audience is left adrift in the suspense of doubt and the fear of a stolen soul with never a clear answer as to whether or not Emily Rose was actually possessed or ailed by a very extreme case of epileptic psychosis, which was the argument of the prosecution from the beginning until the end.

Altogether, “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” retrospectively taught viewers that facts can’t always answer every question, and some questions will always remain a mystery.

Also, the film asks whether relying solely on scientific explanation is a sign of advancement for humanity and civilization or a complete setback when it comes to open-mindedness.

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American legend Bob Dylan has a career that only musicians can dream of that spans across decades and somehow always continues to stand out with his unique style among popular music trends and artists. The 64year-old’s career and musical style is brilliantly pieced together in “Bob Dylan: No Direction Home” by renowned director Martin Scorsese.

The documentary was released on DVD to eagerly awaiting Dylan fans Aug. 20, followed by movie screenings that week in select cities such as Philadelphia and Bryn Mawr, where a free screening was held at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute on Lancaster Avenue. To also mark the release of the documentary, it was shown on PBS on Monday, Aug. 26 at 9:00 p.m., which revealed the first half of the documentary, followed by the remaining half on the following night.

“No Direction Home” is the first feature length film biography of Bob Dylan, and is also the first time that he has agreed to do a full interview in over 20 years.

Although a musical documentary seems atypical for Scorsese, he actually has experience in rock documentaries. He directed the “Last Waltz” in 1978 that documented The Band, and he also served as an assistant director on Woodstock in 1970.

The documentary shows how Dylan revived the folk era, while combining it with touches of the blues, country and rock and Roll. Dylan, who was actually born Robert Zimmerman, grew up in the blue-collar town of Hibbing, Minn. and then ended up in Greenwich Village, N.Y., where he stayed for quite a while performing at coffeehouses with fellow folk and blues musicians. Dylan said, “I was born very far from where I’m supposed to be and so I’m on my way home.”

Dylan’s life is thoroughly illustrated through photos, rare video footage and various interviews of Dylan and his family, friends and fellow musicians.

The turning point in Dylan’s career was when he signed with Columbia Records in 1962. From there, the rest is history Dylan went on to record such famous songs as “Hurricane,” “All Along The Watchtower,” “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” and “Mr. Tambourine Man.” His songs had emotions and perspectives that were so powerful that the listener couldn’t help but make their own translation of it and inspire or empower them in some way. Scorsese highlights his lyrics by showing live performances of Dylan with just a guitar, a harmonica and his prevailing voice.

Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story. Please send your comments to: Loquitur@yahoogroups.com. The editors will review your points each week and make corrections if warranted.