The Conjuring (2013) Warner Bros./Horror RT: 112 minutes Rated R (sequences of disturbing violence and terror) Director: James Wan Screenplay: Chad Hayes and Carey Hayes Music: Joseph Bishara Cinematography: John R. Leonetti Release date: July 19, 2013 (US) Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Ron Livingston, Lili Taylor, Shanley Caswell, Joey King, Hayley McFarland, Mackenzie Foy, Kyla Deaver, Shannon Kook, John Brotherton, Sterling Jerins, Marion Guyot, Steve Coulter. Box Office: $137.4M (US)/$319.5M (World)
Rating: ***
I remember wanting to see The Amityville Horror when it played in theaters in summer ’79, but it became yet another casualty of that damn R-rated movie parental block in place when I was 11. I had to content myself with reading (and rereading) the original Jay Anson novel behind their backs. It would have been a blast to see that one with an audience because it really is a roller coaster ride of a horror movie.
I miss the days when the good horror movies were always rated R (with one notable PG exception) and usually scary. You all know how I feel about the crop of watered down PG-13 fright flicks that have invaded multiplexes since The Sixth Sense arrived on the scene. I’m pleased to announce that The Conjuring is a nice throwback to the days when horror movies scared the pants off audience members without the aid of CGI effects and cheap scares. It owes a lot to The Amityville Horror, The Exorcist and Poltergeist (the PG exception!) with its 70s-set story of a typical American family besieged by a demonic presence in their new home. The Conjuring earns its R rating simply by being deemed too scary for younger audiences by the MPAA. There’s no graphic violence, no significant profanity, no sexual scenes or topless co-eds. It’s just a good old-fashioned scarefest that’s bound to traumatize a few audience members like the aforementioned horror titles did in their time. I’m all for it, of course.
Based on true events (just like Amityville), The Conjuring relates the experiences of real life paranormal investigators Ed (Wilson, Insidious) and Lorraine Warren (Farmiga, Orphan) with the Perron family in fall ’71. Roger (Livingston, Office Space) and Carolyn (Taylor, The Haunting) move into a rundown Rhode Island farmhouse with their five daughters and strange things immediately start to happen. The family dog dies, things go bump in the night, youngest daughter April (Deaver) starts taking to an unseen “friend” named Rory, preteen daughter Cynthia (Foy, Breaking Dawn 1 & 2) starts sleepwalking and Carolyn keeps finding bruises on her body that she can’t explain. Then there’s that scary game of “Hide & Clap” in which a ghostly presence takes part. It’s probably the same ghostly presence that keeps grabbing daughter Christine’s (King, White House Down) feet while she sleeps.
It doesn’t take a genius to realize the Perron family isn’t alone in that house. That’s when Carolyn seeks the help of the Warrens. She’s a clairvoyant and he’s a demonologist, the only non-clergy one recognized by the Catholic Church. They confirm the family’s suspicion that an evil spirit (or spirits) resides in the house and an exorcism is the only way to get rid of it (or them).
There’s also some personal drama involved as Lorraine is still trying to get over some trauma she experienced during a previous investigation. As a result, Ed has become overprotective of her and thinks she should sit this one out. Yeah, like that’s gonna happen. She’s a tough 70s woman, hear her roar!
The morning audience for The Conjuring was curiously restrained, but I jumped a few times and enjoyed every minute of it. I’m really hoping it marks the return of no holds barred, R-rated horror films. The people who see these movies want to be scared out of their minds. Why water it down for the benefit of teens who will probably look more at the screen on their smart phones than the one in front of them?
That being said, I love how The Conjuring relies on old school techniques to frighten the audience. Director James Wan (Saw, Insidious) uses loud, sudden sounds and sudden appearances of spectral figures to make the viewers jump. Who needs fancy CGI effects when an unseen presence creating havoc has a much better effect? When one these spirits attacks somebody, it’s pretty freaky. The Conjuring is also educational when it comes to paranormal matters. I had no idea that demonic possession is a three-step process- infestation, oppression and possession. It’s an intelligent movie without being too cerebral; it doesn’t get bogged down with philosophical and theological discussions.
The entire cast does a good job; Wilson and Farmiga are great as the Warrens. Livingston and Taylor are also good as the Perrons. All of the kids do a great job, especially Deaver and King. The Conjuring isn’t exactly original. It borrows liberally from other great horrors, yet still feels fresh in spite of it. Wan knows what he’s doing which is a definite plus. It’s easy to forget he’s the same man who gave rise to the short-lived “torture porn” subgenre of horror.
I had a great time watching The Conjuring. It held my interest and kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Is it the scariest movie that I’ve ever seen? No, but it’s one of the best horror movies to hit screens in a long time. It’s definitely worth checking out, but be warned it could be a very traumatic experience for some. Now that’s great movie-making!
