Case 39 is like The Exorcist Without the Exorcism
Case 39 is an attempt at interweaving the horrors of child abuse with the supernatural but is done in such a way as to turn off the viewer with the ridiculous and inconsistent actions taken by the protagonist, played by the typically role-selective Renee Zellweger.
Horror Queen Says: Bloody Thumbs Down!
Written by BHM Editor Horror Queen
October 1, 2010
Released: October 1, 2010 (U.S. Theatrical)
Directed by: Christian Alvart
Written by: Ray Wright
Starring:
Renee Zellweger as: Emily Jenkins
Jodelle Ferland as: Lilith Sullivan
Ian McShane as: Detective Barron
Bradley Cooper as: Doug
Callum Keith Rennie as: Edward Sullivan
Adrian Lester as: Wayne
Emily Jenkins (Renee Zellweger) is first and foremost a devoted social worker, and secondly a single woman living alone with no time for dating, even if her latest pursuer Doug was recently voted one of the sexiest men alive by People Magazine (Bradley Cooper). Now that’s dedication. Already overworked and myopic, Emily dutifully accepts one more file from her boss, that of Case 39. Little does she know it’s not just another instance of child abuse. What’s going on in the Sullivan home is evil beyond her wildest fears.
Speaking of fears, think of your worst. Being stung by a swarm of hornets? Drowning? Burning alive in a fire? Having to wait in line at Costco? Now imagine whatever that fear is, is exactly what you’ll be put through at the hands of the evil force behind Case 39. And if you don’t voice your fears, they’ll be uncovered nonetheless.
Sound compelling? Don’t’ get your hopes up.
After rescuing 10-year old Lilith Sullivan from the terror of her troubled home and the parents who tried to cook her in the oven, Emily does what�any rogue counselor would do – she adopts�the child and becomes ‘Insta-Mom’. Admittedly ‘not motherhood material’ this 
turns out to be quite the challenge despite Emily’s 70-hour work week, as she discovers motherhood is indeed not all it’s cracked up to be. Especially when almost immediately after forging this new role, everyone around Emily begins experiencing their ‘worst fears’ simply by answering the phone and listening to the caller on the other line (bad reception on the calls though, most likely AT&T).
What ensues from there is a blend of the supernatural and the downward spiraling of Emily’s character, and frankly of the film itself. Sure, little Lily may be the spawn of Satan (the name Lilith should have been a clue), yet one wonders if filicide has now taken the place of a good old-fashioned exorcism. C’mon it has to be worth the try.
With her roots planted in horror (Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation), Renee Zellweger does an solid job conveying the passionate and conflicted social worker in Case 39 but the actions she takes and the metamorphosis she undergoes during the film are borderline absurd. Are even the most well-intentioned of us capable of cooking our own children? Jodelle Ferland as Lilith gives a so-so performance, but to her defense the film would have failed anyway.
Horror Queen Says: Bloody Thumbs Down!
Questions or comments about Case 39? Discuss it on The Ossuary Forums!
Take me to Horror Movie Reviews!
Talk About This on The Ossuary Forums!
Horror Movie Freaks is the FREE eZine from Best-Horror-Movies.com that will give you the new horror releases, the new horror news and the new horror reviews that you CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT!!
Subscribing is easy, painless and free.
Do it NOW!!
