STIGMATA -- turkey -- Patricia Arquette, Gabriel Byrne, Jonathan Pryce, Nia Long, Mark Adair-Rios, Portia de Rossi, Rade Sherbedgia, rated R (violence, gore, profanity, partial nudity, sex); Carmike 12, Cottonwood Mall and Ritz 15 Theaters; Century Theatres 16; Cinemark Sandy Movies 9; Loews Cineplex Broadway Centre, Midvalley and Trolley North Cinemas; Redwood Drive-in (with "The Thomas Crown Affair"); Reel Theatres.
Can a film still legitimately be called a rip-off if the alleged "inspiration" is 25 years old?The so-bad-it's-laughable horror film "Stigmata," which borrows heavily from the "Exorcist" movies, certainly begs that question -- as well as others, such as why actors as talented as Patricia Arquette, Gabriel Byrne and Jonathan Pryce would agree to be in it.
However, the trio's phone-it-in performances suggest the paycheck was their only motivation for contributing to this cinematic equivalent of a train wreck, which isn't remotely scary.
In fact, if this over-directed mess could prompt any emotional response from an audience, it would probably be irritation, thanks to its music video style and quick-cut editing. (Such style-over-substance filmmaking techniques make it tempting to simply write off the film as "MTV's The Exorcist.")
Of course, it's not like the plot is much, either. When atheistic Pittsburgh hairdresser Frankie Paige (Arquette) receives a rosary from Brazil, she begins suffering stigmata-like wounds and seeing bizarre hallucinations.
Doctors are stumped, as are Frankie's worried co-workers (Nia Long and Portia de Rossi). And as reports of her worsening conditions leak to the news, Father Andrew (Byrne), a Vatican scientist, is sent to Pittsburgh to investigate her claims.
Once there, the disbelieving priest discovers there may be more to the case, which has some things in common with an earlier investigation. Even more curious is the fact that Father Andrew's immediate superior, Cardinal Vignielli (Pryce), is taking such a personal interest in the matter.
There's more to the story, but it's not worth going into. About the only thing journeyman screenwriters Tom Lazarus and Rick Ramage seem intent on doing is portraying the Catholic Church in as negative a light as possible.
Also, the point of the film seems to elude the duo, as well as director Rupert Wainwright ("Blank Check"), who tries to make up for the awful material with what are intended as "stylish" flourishes. Unfortunately, that means the cast is left adrift with direction.
As Frankie, Arquette mumbles her lines without emotion, and the synchronization of her dubbed -- "possessed" -- voice is atrocious. Byrne seems embarrassed by the romantic subplot that develops between their two characters.
"Stigmata" is rated R for violent possessions and one particularly violent tussle, surprisingly graphic gore, profanity, partial female nudity and a brief, simulated sex scene.