Movie recommendation: The Conjuring

Movie recommendation: The Conjuring

THE CONJURING (NC16)

 

DURATION: 112 Minutes

 

RATING: 3.5/5 

 

Set in 1971, this story is one of many in the files of real-life paranormal researchers Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga, above with Wilson).

The Perron family, which comprises father Roger (Ron Livingston), mother Carolyn (Lili Taylor) and their five daughters, move into an old farmhouse.

Strange, disturbing events happen, leading Carolyn to seek the help of Ed and Lorraine.

Director James Wan is no stranger to small genre pictures that break out, having directed and co-written the first gory puzzle movie Saw (2004) and 2010's supernatural spookfest Insidious. Much of this work's power comes from the likeability of its female characters, the first being the frail clairvoyant Lorraine, played with understated grace and sensitivity by Farmiga.

The second female powerhouse here is the under-rated actress Taylor as the mother, Carolyn.

It is her pain that the audience feels, and she delivers that pain with her expressive face.


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