In this supernatural horror story, Jenna (Angela Bettis), an unstable young woman, gives birth to a girl named Cody who proves to be autistic; unable to care for her properly, she turns Cody over to her sister, psychiatric nurse Maggie O'Connell (Kim Basinger). Maggie raises Cody as her own, but when the child (now played by Holliston Coleman) turns six, Jenna and her new husband Eric (Rufus Sewell) forcibly take back the child. Maggie believes Jenna and Eric are not fit parents, but when she
takes the matter up with detective John Travis (Jimmy Smits), they discover that a number of children born on the same day as Cody have also been abducted recently. Even worse, it seems that Cody may now be in the hands of Satanists who, in accordance with Biblical prophecy, believe the little girl may be mankind's last line of defense against ultimate evil. Based on a novel by Cathy Cash Spellman, Bless the Child also stars Christina Ricci and Ian Holm. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
Seems derivative of so many other movies that you're surprised that it doesn't have to credit its sources the way hip-hop artists do when they sample songs.
It's all just cheap metaphor and stupid spectacle, with technology standing (rather inadequately) in for any sort of genuine inquiry into the fascinating mysteries and difficulties of actual faith.
The use of child jeopardy as a cheap suspense mechanism is somewhat dubious, but one's unease is slightly mollified by the fact that much of this is far too silly to take seriously.
Maggie O'Connor begins having visions... These demons look like refugees from "Fantasia" and the angels appear to her as sparkling winged cabbages. Perhaps they're on their way to be photographed for some sort of heavenly produce ad.
Wow, this is a rarity: a modern-day film in which the Christians (mostly nuns in this story) are the "good guys" and the New Age advocates are the devil-like "bad guys."Kim Basinger makes an outstanding performance in this supernatural film about a woman's battle to save her beloved niece from an unspeakable evil.
There is some very good suspense here, especially at the end and some shocking horror scenes of violence. Good vs Evil, and it's done well for me. And I thought Rufus Sewell's performance as Stark is well acted and convincingly evil. I see Christina Ricci appeared a very small part in this movie.Director Chuck Russell makes a good attempt to throw in horror and chills at the right moments and even throws in some great effects such as the Devil's manifestation in to a throne and even a rolling head for fans of a little gore.
October 29, 2006
Dean McKenna
Super Reviewer
Strong permofance by Kim Berenger. Great Movie with great casting. I like Rufus Sewell, he can play anything and I never feel like he is acting.
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