Thanks for this review go to our new guest reviewer, the lovely and perceptive Corinne Dion! Corinne has interests in horror and opera, among other things, and will be providing occasional reviews on this site!
The Devils Advocate, a successful horror film that premiered in the late 1990’s, is a movie about Biblical virtues. It is an interesting study on biblical values against the backdrop of the modern world (NYC in the late 1990’s) with the underlying theme that the Devil and his minions ultimately do not defeat God, although they reign on this earth through corrupting man in the modern world.
By today’s standards this film almost feels old-fashioned in its views on right and wrong. This is because until the redefinition of marriage in America in the early 2000’s, America was still held some of the traditions and attitudes of a puritanical nation that did not condone behaviors and practices that were considered sinful in the Bible. For instance, some of the behaviors by the corrupted characters in the film are now openly celebrated. The hedonism displayed in NYC in the 1990’s in this film is viewed as evil. The Devils Advocate espouses living a principled life based on Biblical values.
The movie centers on Kevin (played by Keanu Reeves), a young trial attorney from Florida. Kevin and his wife, Maryann (played by Charlize Theron), are a happily married young couple, who dream of one day making it big. As if their prayers have been answered, a recruiter from a top NYC lawyer appears one day after witnessing Kevin’s prowess in a Florida courtroom. He offers Kevin a potential position in his high paying NYC law firm. Kevin flies to NYC and interviews with the head partner of this law firm, John Milton (played by Al Pacino). After impressing Al Pacino, Kevin is offered an extremely high paying position as a top attorney and a home in a huge brownstone townhome in NYC.
Maryann immediately is on board for this upgraded life in New York, but Kevin’s religious mother, who raised him by herself, cautions him that New York is an evil place and he and Maryann do not belong there. Kevin ignores his mother’s warnings and he and Maryann move to the city. However, soon it becomes apparent that all that glitters is not gold and it is this case, what glitters is Satanic.
Gradually, Kevin learns that this law firm he has been invited into is really the Devil’s lair and that he must conform and become corrupted or lose the good life he thought he wanted. Along the way, however, Kevin learns that what he must sacrifice to stay on top in this law firm is his very soul.
The principles espoused in this film are humility, monogamy, fidelity to God, country, family and truth. When the central characters of the film begin to cheat, lie and become filled with hubris, their lives disintegrate. This becomes very apparent with tragedies that ensue. Even Kevin’s God-fearing mother cannot stop the madness once Kevin’s choices catch up to him. However, there is hope in the film because in the end Kevin makes sacrifices and choices that offer redemption.
The Devil’s Advocate (1997)
Story/Plot/Characters–Newly married young couple move to NYC chasing dreams that turn out to be nightmares. Great acting by a-list actors. (3.5 points)
Special Effects–Even by today’s standards the effects are excellent and believable. (1.5 points)
Scariness— Definitely some frightening scenes, but there is no gratuitous violence or gore. The movie’s strength is its ability to scare you through suspense and psychology with most of the violence being comparable to modern action flicks. (1 points)
Atmosphere/Freakiness— The atmosphere is excellent and well done. The movie feels almost medieval with Biblical Wisdom and redemption. (2 points)
Total=7 points (Excellent)
Verdict: A stylish, classic supernatural thriller that holds up well against more recent movies in the genre.