Oh... if you were to watch this movie on DVD, there are subtitles for this movie so we can understand what's being said during all of the scenes where Italian is being spoken. Unfortunately, it appears you got a copy of this movie where there were no subtitles to help you. I think this movie does a pretty good job with helping us to understand the just of what's happening, especially thanks to some of the characters translating what's being spoken in some scenes, but subtitles do certainly help.
Also... in case you didn't catch it, this movie is based on a true story. Both Michael Kovak and Father Lucas are based on real life people. It's said in the end just after you stopped the movie, that the real Michael Kovak has continued on as a priest and as an exorcist upon finding his faith and belief in God, as well as in himself. And Father Lucas worked a few more years until he eventually retired while remaining in Rome. While I don't know what I believe in as far as demon possession or exorcisms are concerned, I am definitely interested in the truth behind the events and characters within this movie.
Heidi
Heidi Elizabeth Marcum
2021-01-23 07:59:49 +0000 UTC
Thank you so much for another great movie reaction! I really enjoyed this movie very much myself, so I'm so glad you did too. And it is so well acted from each of the main actors. Anthony Hopkins is always good in is movies, and Colin O'Donoghue as Michael is phenomenal I think, and has quickly become one of my favorite actors. I know him mostly from Once Upon a Time, and I absolutely love him as Captain Hook/Killian Jones too. He's just phenomenal in both roles, and incredible at showing deep emotions such as he does in both The Rite and in Once Upon a Time. I chose to watch this movie for the first time because I wanted to see more with Colin O'Donoghue in it. And I'm so glad that I did because I really came to love it.
I'm not typically a fan of horror movies, but I do love thrillers like The Rite, and Frequency as well... because both of these movie have a really good storyline with powerful meanings behind them. And I love that The Rite is about a man who struggles so deeply with finding his faith in God, and struggles to understand what and who he truly believes in like so many people in the world do... myself included. And in the end, we learn that it isn't so much that he doesn't believe in God, but he struggles more so to believe in himself and in his own strengths. Just like I do, as do everyone at some point in their lives. I think this is what drew me into the movie so much, outside of simply watching it for Colin O'Donoghue. Faith is difficult for everyone and while I do believe in God, I struggle with believing in myself and therefore my own faith is shaken, as it's been for a long time now.
As for exorcisms themselves... I don't really know how to feel towards them. I do know they're real, but I'm not sure I can believe in demons possessing people like we see in this movie. I believe there is evil in the world and that the devil is real, but that he tempts us through our sins and we choose whether or not to fall for his lies. It's definitely an interesting subject for an in depth discussion.
As for my favorite scenes... I love the scene in the beginning when the young woman on the bike is struck by the van after the priest trips in front of it, as Michael is asked to read her her last rites before she dies. This moment for him is very profound and it's a very tender, yet intense moment within the movie. And so sad.
I love the scenes upon Michael learning of his father's death when he's being haunted, or taunted by the demon in all of his attempts to rip Michael's soul apart in order to draw him down the dark path. When he's seeing the demon's visions, when Michael talks to his father who had died six hours earlier and then breaks down upon learning so, and upon learning that the boy had predicted his father's death the night before. I really love Michael's fight to try to understand why he's being tormented by these hallucinations and to find his belief.
Also... I really love the very end, as Michael finally believes in himself and in God as he fights against the demon possessing Father Lucas to free his soul. So intense and so well acted by both Colin O'Donoghue and Anthony Hopkins.
Thank you again, so much! Your reactions are always so enjoyable to watch. If you would ever like to discuss anything at all with me, or you have any questions about the shows you watch and the movies I suggest for you... please send me a message any time. Thank you so much, Reds!
Sincerely,
Heidi