Russell Crowe battles demons in "The Pope's Exorcist"

"The Pope's Exorcist" is a papal potboiler film based on the writings of Father Gabriele Amorth, the Vatican's demonslayer-in-chief. Russell Crowe plays Amorth, a wry old pro who finds levity in his devilishly tricky day job. The film follows Amorth as he battles a pesky demon possessing a single parent's son in a gloomy San Sebastián abbey. Despite the presence of Franco Nero as a non-specific pope, the film lacks theological seriousness and is filled with secondhand possession-movie imagery. However, it qualifies as lively schlock and is likely your one chance to see Crowe in flowing robes piloting a Vespa to the strains of Faith No More.