“The Conjuring,” directed by James Wan, is downright eerie
and disturbing, reportedly based on supernatural events in Rhode
Island in 1971: a family unknowingly moves into a
haunted abode, unaware of its dark history before experiencing some blood-curdling
occurrences. The horrified Perrons enlist the aid of renowned paranormal
investigators, the Warrens, to identify and stop the manifestations.
Wan has better material to work with; it's certainly focused, unlike the
somewhat laughable “Insidious,” and he’s helped enormously by a powerhouse cast
that “The Conjuring” ends up a considerably more solid, more satisfying film. Yes,
once you get past the title font and some creepy apparition designs that look heavily
and unmistakably inspired by “The Exorcist,” it’s easier to appreciate it as a
horror flick with its own merits. And despite the heavy reiteration of the
supposed importance of Catholic rites and beliefs, it’s easy to get into the urgency
of the story, thanks to a proper melding of toned-down effects and fine acting.
In that regard, Lili Taylor is tremendously helpful as the
embattled Carolyn Perron, mother of five similarly shaken daughters—and they all
react impressively to well-timed disturbances. Also giving necessary dimension
is Vera Farmiga as the unyielding psychic Lorraine Warren, attuned to the
unseen but still occasionally vulnerable. And “The Conjuring,” while sometimes derivative
and quite predictable, succeeds as a substantial chiller, able to conjure up
scares with simpler technical trickeries and just superb acting.
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