The Deliverance

It plays with the same Tinker Toys that decades of Amityville Horror sequels have worn all the paint off. Then it switches over to riffing off The Exorcist with about as much absence of success as the most recent reboot attempt by that franchise. Every cliché that demonic possession movies have already worn out is put on display without a shred of irony. The only innovation on the original material is that pea soup projectile vomiting has been replaced by throwing your own s**t in the classroom.

This is the standout scene, by the way, as the concept and execution really make the popcorn fly across the room. If only there had been more Milky Way bars like this in the bowl of stale candy corn.

Also, any opportunity to establish how the Baptist version of a Catholic exorcism is unique and different is missed by a mile, as it still comes across as pretty much loud praying while something evil with spit all over its face swears a blue streak. The tragedy is that amongst this hurricane of demonic cornball is some powerhouse acting work.

“Glenn Close finally sinks her teeth into an Oscar-worthy performance—even when she sprouts fangs!”

Day is dead solid, perfect as someone who has been stress-tested to the degree of snapping. It is so sad to see her work remain strong while the rest of the story wilts into cream corn around her. Mo’ Nique’s return after her blacklisting shows just what we have been missing from this massive talent. That, as a comedienne, she was able to keep a straight face during the really nutty parts is a triumph in and of itself.

But the actress who might just pull a statuette out of this steaming pile is Close. Close’s commitment to Alberta is impressive, as even when she sprouts fangs, she gives it all. As tarnished as the production is, Close’s work is more than Oscar-worthy. Count how many times you blink when she first appears. Also, she is owed big time, and the Academy has to Pacino her.

There are many examples of Oscars from mediocre movies—just look at Country Strong. So watch The Deliverance for Close if you haven’t already done so. However, a performance of this caliber in a movie like this is like seeing a BMW 5-series being used to do donuts in a field of manure.