The Rite
Screen Rant ’s Kofi Outlaw ReviewsThe Rite
IfThe Riteis proof of anything , it ’s that the often singular and cryptic nature of real life does n’t always read into the best film . While this familiar tale of faith and skepticism is n’t the tragedy some might require , it is , at best , a everyday entry in the dispossession grinder - genre .
In fact , if not for the front of Anthony Hopkins , who often is the only spark keep the eye of this film drubbing , The Ritewould in all probability be one of the dull story about the devil ever state .
establish on the bookThe Rite : The Making of a Modern Exorcistby journalist Matt Baglio , the film follows young priest - in - training Michael Kovak ( Colin O’Donoghue ) , who flee a uncheerful sprightliness working at home base in his Father-God ’s ( Rutger Hauer ) mortuary business by enrol in seminary schooling . However , Michael is not the stalwart homo of faith his priest collar would indicate : events of his past have put him at odds with his beliefs , and his theological training has done little to resolve that engagement .
After one seemingly fated second of godlike intercession , Father Matthew ( Toby Jones ) arrive to believe in Michael ’s potential to serve God , and so he sends his student off to Rome to enter a raw platform on exorcism at a school day attached to the Vatican . There , Michael ’s petulance and doubt about the authenticity of exorcism cause the teacher of the path ( Ciarán Hinds ) to send the unseasoned non-Christian priest - in - preparation to the place of Father Lucas Trevant ( Hopkins ) , a priest with a long resume of successful exorcisms conducted in very unorthodox ways .
However , even after get word the dire grounds of the gonzo Father Lucas ' study , Matthew still scramble with his beliefs - that is until strange and ominous occurrence coerce the young doubter to think the possibility that The Devil is indeed veridical … and may have his eyes on him .
The Ritewas aim by Mikael Håfström , best known for helming the adaption of the Stephen King story1408 , and the Clive Owen / Jennifer Aniston mystery thriller , Derailed . People tend to know both those picture more for the performances of their stars , andThe Ritewill likely be no different . Håfström is a competent enough music director , who work from a more or less thudding and barren optical palette , but I ca n’t say that any of his films really stick out in terms of their craftsmanship . If anything , Håfström has become accomplished at telling slightly odd or off - kilter stories in a sensible , sparing direction , from showtime to destination . And that ’s exactly whatThe Ritefeels like : a sensible , by - the - numbers photographic film that knows the limit of its own voltage .
Baglio ’s Christian Bible was one of deep probe head about the reality of exorcism vs. the paradigm of it presented by cinema , but the script for this movie version only clears room for the more intimate and superficial tropes . The playscript was write by Michael Petroni , well have a go at it for condense other literary works likeChronicles of Narnia : Voyage of the Dawn Treader , Anne Rice’sQueen of the DamnedandThe Dangerous life of Altar Boysinto easy digestible cinematic narratives . WithThe Rite , Petroni sticks to good - mined themes of the dispossession torpedo - genre ( atheism vs. faith , " monomania " vs. mental malady ) - though it must be acknowledged that the cinema does ease us into the narration at a astonishingly relaxed and aim pace . More time is spent establishing the theatrical role of Michael Kovak and his backstory than you might gestate from by - the - number genre film , and what is established at the commencement exercise well at making the coming - and all its implications about the nature of god and religion - resonate in the ending , if only slightly .
As for the acting : Colin O’Donoghue is a somewhat slow protagonist as Kovak , all brooding and seriousness , his only wit seemingly plant in the witty lines he ’s call upon to surrender . He fall on the faulty side of the course between stoicism and stiffness throughout most of the film - a distinction made all the more apparent by the over - the - top ( hammy ? ) execution of Anthony Hopkins .
The Rite is a 2011 horror film starring Colin O’Donoghue, Anthony Hopkins, Cirán Hinds, Alice Braga, and Toby Jones. O’Donoghue plays Michael Kovak, an American seminary who starts to study exorcisms with Father Lucas Trevant (Hopkins). Kovak gets first-hand experience with the church’s unconventional practices when a young girl becomes possessed by a demon.
The Riterequires Hopkins to bring a drastic bit of range to his role , and what we essentially get it is re - heated Hannibal Lecter schtick clothed in priest ’s robes . I bring up Hopkins ' most celebrated performance because like Lecter , father Lucas lay out a commixture of piercing intelligence and wild barbarism , link together by that screen - filing charisma that is now Hopkins ' trademark . Every motion and movement the man constitute , every bloodline ( no matter how bad ) he delivers , and every twitching of his face is interesting to watch - which is good affair , because as I state before , Hopkins is moderately muchthe onlyinteresting thing to watch at many time during this film .
Oh , by the manner , Alice Braga ( Predators ) is also in the movie , playing Kovak ’s journalist admirer and fellow skeptic , Angeline . Angeline is basically the onscreen translation of Matt Baglio converted into a distaff role ( for his book , Baglio come after the real - life inspiration for Father Lucas and Kovak around Italy ) , and there ’s small reason for Braga ’s presence here , other than to fulfil the obligatory role of a romantic interest . Braga is a square actress , and I do often wish she was given better roles to work with - but this is for certain not one of them . Cut her character out and the celluloid would essentially remain unchanged .
The Ritedoes taste to offer some philosophical intellectual nourishment for thought - but they ’re really just appetizers . We ’ve escort stories of faith question and religious belief tested many , many times before , and had them presented to us in far more interesting ways than this . The Riteis only recommended for those viewer who prefer the shallow end of theological plight , or those who get goose bump from the standard silly bag of PG-13 scares . If you do n’t fit either of those descriptions , you may want to wait until this minuscule ogre hits home video .
Check out the trailer forThe Rite :
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The Rite is a 2011 horror film star Colin O’Donoghue , Anthony Hopkins , Cirán Hinds , Alice Braga , and Toby Jones . O’Donoghue plays Michael Kovak , an American seminary who starts to study exorcisms with Father Lucas Trevant ( Hopkins ) . Kovak gets first - script experience with the church service ’s unconventional practices when a young missy becomes possessed by a demon .
