In the genre of demonic-possession movies “The Conjuring” is among my top three favorites (which are, in case you are into lists: “The Exorcist”, “The Sentinel”, and now, “The Conjuring”). Of course, we are told at the start of the film that it is “based on a true story” and I am sure it is as much fact as was the “Amityville Horror”. In case you missed my sarcasm, “The Amityville Horror” (the book) was a creative method the homeowners used to survive being underwater with their disastrous real estate acquisition.

Anyway, I really don’t care how much they gilded the dead lily on this “true story” hokum twaddle, it was just a darn good scary movie made without sex, too much blaspheming and profanity, or projectile vomit.

It all takes place in 1971 when hairstyles and fashion were, in a sense, possessed by some demonic entity. (As proof of mass demonic possession, I need only to remind my readers that macramé was all the rage then.)

A trucker, his wife and five daughters (the Perrons) move into a beaten down eighteenth century farm house. The first creepy thing we see is one of the daughters finds a circus clown music box. We all know this is a sure sign of devilment, clowns being marionettes of the Evil One. The family dog is smarter than the humans and refuses to enter the tumbledown house, no doubt, fully aware that clowns = devils. The dog pays a heavy price for being the smartest of the pack. Then the usual shenanigans begin. Stinks, odd noises, a scary basement, slamming doors, legs being pulled and appearances of a dead child terrorize the family.

Parallel to this family’s experience, we meet Ed and Lorraine Warren (played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga). They are paranormal investigators. Soon, their lives transect when Mrs. Perron seeks out their help to rid the house of the evil spirits. They come and they soon see melodramatic evidence of bedevilment, particularly from Bathsheba, a woman accused of witchcraft and suspected of sacrificing a newborn to Satan long, long ago.

Now, here is the deal: to make this movie worth the price of admission, the dialog had to be not-hokey (check) and the go-bump-in-the-night can’t be contrived (check). Director James Wan’s deft treatment of set, cast, special effects and make-up demonstrate that simplicity is more than enough. By no means is it subtle, but it is elegant, if such a word can be applied to demonic possession. Actually, all of this is achieved by keeping the plot family-centered. This case of demonic possession is a threat to their familial serenity. The Perron’s love of family and the Warren’s genial and gentle love of fellow man prevail over a malevolent threat to all that is decent.

The acting is really impressive. The cast presents an air of kindness and pleasant, comfortable domesticity. I wouldn’t mind knowing these people. This is not a cynic’s horror movie; if it weren’t so downright terrifying, I would say it is family-friendly.

The audience certainly enjoyed “the ride” except for one film fan in my audience who expressed an opinion that this was BS (spelled out). Well, she may have been right about that, but it is top grade BS…and thrilling too. I don’t believe in demonic possession, but I believe the cast and crew (and that includes the screenwriters) were possessed with talent of a benevolent and entertaining kind.

Interesting side note: I read that this film cost $20,000,000 to make, but in two days, grossed twice that much. This just goes to show, that 3D and big stars and mega-effects are not necessary to make a big hit. And, it demonstrates that a movie can be filmed in Wilmington, N.C. (not Canada) to make a profit.

May Hollywood be possessed again and no exorcist ever be found.

“The Conjuring” earns four-and-a-half bowties out of five.