I honestly think that I could have offered better ideas for adapting this book to film while still keeping it under 2 hrs. The dramatic moments seemed to be focused in the wrong spots. I didn't really care about a dog coming back to life. (which wasn't even in the book)Furthermore, I was disappointed that Morgan Elliot was a veterinarian instead of a Methodist minister. Most of the messages about religion were deflated to appeal to a secular audience. And, in general, I felt that the movie was much darker than it had to be. I understand that it is considered a "thriller," but many of the more humorous characters, such as Dee Baylor, were either merged with other characters or left out completely. I so wanted to see Dee Baylor running down the street after Jim Baylor with a gun in her hands or Penny getting blown up in Don Anderson's appliance shop. For some reason I had imagined lighter moments when I was reading the book. Most of the movie is literally dark; it is either night time or we are stuck in a dark basement or something. And, what was with those lights flickering on and off in the supermarket? It looked like some sort of aliens or monsters were invading. Finally, I have to say something about the unoriginal special effects used when the demons are leaving the bodies. It honestly looks like a sorry attempt to mimic the same effect they used in "The Green Mile." The book is amazing, but this movie is less than spectacular. I really felt like it was a waste of time. Just read the 600 page book!
Review of The Visitation
