The Last Exorcism

If you watch the commercials for The Last Exorcism, you'd think it was just another, run of the mill, B-level horror movie destined for the discount DVD bin at Wal-Mart.

You might even think it is a sequel to The Exorcist.

However, The Last Exorcism is the kind of brilliant movie that doesn't come along every day. It's fun scary that lets us laugh at the brilliance, the set ups and the payoffs.

Patrick Fabian stars as Cotton Marcus - a southern preacher who seems to have taken up the calling more because it is the family business, and he has a silver tongue that can captivate an audience. He's more Con Man than Man of the Cloth.

On the side, to make a few extra bucks, Cotton will perform the occasional exorcism, but he doesn't really believe in that sort of thing. He shows up, performs some grandiose gestures, soothes the fears of the family and the "possessed", and heads out of town with no one the wiser. However, Cotton's latest case is much different from his typical scam.

Young Nell (Ashley Bell) is the sweetest, kindest teen you have ever met, but, in the middle of the night, she has been going on the prowl and leaving a bunch of dead livestock in her wake (I know those teen years can be rough, but this is pushing it). Cotton figures he will perform the usual dog and pony show, but, as he gets more involved, the preacher realizes he is in over his head.

Is Nell possessed?

Can Cotton save her?

Is everyone doomed?

The Last Exorcism is the classic and perfect example of a horror movie that lures you in, then delivers shocks and scares that have you screaming, screeching, jumping out of your underpants and grabbing hold of the person sitting next to you in the theater (just make sure you bring someone who won't call the police when you grip their arm, or someone who will enjoy seeing you after you have jumped out of your underpants).

Fabian is amazing, charming, cocky and hilarious as the self aware con artist. The twinkle in his eye and the slight sarcasm in his voice are priceless. The actor is a perfect salesman for The Last Exorcism. Because Cotton doesn't take any of this seriously, neither does the audience, which gives the inevitable a powerful punch that you can't believe, surprises you with the twists and turns this film has taken, and even makes you giggle as the showman gets a little bit of a comeuppance.

Then, Ashley Bell delivers a breakthrough, career making performance as the young possessed lady who has our flim flam man realizing he has gotten in over his head. Much like Fabian's charm, Bell gives Nell an irresistible sweetness, childish exuberance and innocence that disarms our defenses. When she starts showing the deep disturbances within Nell, Bell is awesomely weird, and you realize this actress has been playing with us all along. The creepy way she looks into the camera is indescribable, and has the kind of impact you can't forget. Watch out Scarlett Johansson, Rachel McAdams, Reese Witherspoon and all of you big time Hollywood stars. You might be competing with this lady for the best roles in the future.

Director Daniel Stamm deserves massive kudos for shooting the entire movie with a single camera, documentary style that makes the audience feel like we are part of the action, and shows great reserve and restraint to keep The Last Exorcism from over doing it. Most of all, he and the writing team of Huck Botko and Andrew Gurland keep the mystery and confusion alive throughout The Last Exorcism. Up to the end, the audience isn't sure exactly what is going on, but we are loving the ride.

The ending doesn't uphold the tone and spirit of the rest of the movie, but The Last Exorcism stands out as one of the summer's biggest surprises.

The Last Exorcism is rated PG-13 for disturbing violent content and terror, some sexual references and thematic material.