Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your accountsSaved for Latersection.
This all seems intentional: Croweclearly enjoys poking a bit of fun at himself.
This is convenient because theres nothing remotely terrifying aboutThe Popes Exorcist.
The film, directed by Julius Avery (Samaritan,Overlord) offers generic thrills mounted atop one another.
Crowe gives him a thick, quaint Italian accent spoken in a high, Geppetto-like register.
They were compelling but portrayed at a remove because nobody could be as intense as Russell Crowe.
you might have a drink or two with this onscreen version of Crowe without fear of getting yourself killed.
And unlike most movie exorcists, Amorth seems approachable, reasonable.
They need a little conversation, a little understanding, and a little theater.
Its an interesting idea or at least it could be.
Because if we dont quite take Amorth seriously at first, his emotional journey should be more engaging.
Unfortunately,The Popes Exorcistdoesnt give him much of an emotional journey at all.
Our sins will seek us out is a constant refrain in the film.
But he doesnt have any!
Of course, sin to one side, theguiltAmorth feels over these two failures could make for promising drama.
Even Franco Neros turn as the pope Franco Nero, Django himself!
offers little to hold on to.
But without my giving too much away, the film spectacularly lets the Church off the hook.
Look, exorcist movies arent easy to do well,The Exorcistnotwithstanding.
The central dramatic exchange of this subgenre generally involves several people standing around a bedroom screaming at one another.
Which is why having someone like Crowe should be a godsend.
The actor shows up, butThe Popes Exorcistrepeatedly fails to deliver on the challenges it sets up for itself.
