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Based on a true story which also inspired The Exorcist, Steven E. De Souza creates this
"docu-drama" from Thomas B. Allen's book, Fr. Bowdern's diary and the eyewitness account of Fr. Halloran.
Fr. William (Bill) Bowdern (Timothy Dalton) is a troubled Jesuit who ministers as chaplain at
the University of St. Louis. Because of his war nightmares, he drinks and is unable to control his temper. His confrere Fr. Raymond McBride (Henry Czerny) tells him about
Robbie Mannheim (Jonathan Malen) whose mother Phyllis came to him for help. Bizarre events begin to happen to Robbie after his great-aunt Hanna (Piper Laurie) dies. Is he just
a troubled child or is he possessed? Fr. Bowdern tries to save the boy while fighting his own battles.
Although produced as a cable TV movie, Possessed comes out a few cuts above the usual horror
movies. Dalton is excellent as a priest struggling with his humanity and Malen's portrayal as the possessed child is noteworthy. This is a well-written story focusing more on
the spiritual and emotional issues of the characters instead of sensationalizing demonic possession. Horror movie lovers may find Possesseda letdown compared to The Exorcist
because of De Souza's restraint, but keeping in mind that this is based on a true story can make it a more terrifying experience.
Possessed is about evil – its real presence and great power – as shown in war, racism, Nazism, demonic possession and addiction. It shows how an innocent boy (who dabbles in the occult) and a mature learned priest (who is unable to process his trauma) can both fall prey to the clutches of the devil. But the movie is also about love and concern, about prayer and forgiveness, about faith and the power of God. For as Fr. Bowdern says quoting St. Paul: "If God is for us, who can be against us?"
(Date reviewed: May 18, 2001)
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