Revealing mistake: You can see wires in the scene where Regan levitates above her bed in the exorcism scene, lifting her up. The way they pull on her dress is also visible.
The Exorcist (1973)
Plot summary
Directed by: William Friedkin
Starring: Max von Sydow, Ellen Burstyn, Lee J. Cobb, Linda Blair, Jason Miller
When Chris McNeil begins to notice strange things going on with her daughter, Regan, she takes her to the hospital. However, the doctors can't find anything wrong with Regan. Finally, believing that Regan is possessed by a demon, Mrs. MacNeil asks a priest who used to be a psychiatrist, Damien Karras, to exorcise the demon.
More mistakes in The Exorcist
Demon: What an excellent day for an exorcism.
Father Damien Karras: You would like that?
Demon: Intensely.
Father Damien Karras: But wouldn't that drive you out of Regan?
Demon: It would bring us together.
Father Damien Karras: You and Regan?
Demon: You and us.
Trivia: The vomit that Linda Blair spewed was actually split-pea soup. Specifically, the effects crew decided to use Anderson's split-pea soup because Campbell's split-pea soup wasn't green enough.
Question: What was the significance of the father being an absentee dad? Did that make Reagan more vulnerable to being possessed?
Answer: It's possible it made her more vulnerable, but the mother, being a big movie star with an adolescent child would probably be divorced at this stage. It was more likely a literary choice by the author. Fewer characters make for a less complicated plot and eliminates the need to add an additional character who may not serve the story in a meaningful way.
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Answer: The demon wants everyone to lose hope for the girl and give up on her. Her father, having already flown the coop, just makes this goal that much easier.
TonyPH