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Mood:
- SentimentalStylized
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Plot:
- BetrayalInvestigationOpposites AttractUncover TruthFall in LoveForbidden LoveCrimesDishonesty more...
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Genres:
- DramaRomance
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Time/Period:
- 18th Century
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Place:
- EnglandLondon
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Style:
- Talky
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Based on:
- Based on Book
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Attitudes:
- SeriousRealistic
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Flag:
- Brief Nudity
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Possession, 2002
English, French
USA, UK
Profile of Possession
The mood of Possession is stylized and sentimental. The plot centers around forbidden love, opposites attracting, and uncovering the truth. It is a drama and romance movie. Stylistically, Possession is talky. In approach, it is serious and realistic. The setting is London. Possession happens in the 18th century. It is based on a book. Note that it includes brief nudity.
Summary of Possession
Set in both contemporary and Victorian England, POSSESSION, directed by Neil LaBute, is based on the novel by A.S. Byatt. The tale begins with Roland Michell (Aaron Eckhart), a laid-back American studying the renowned Victorian poet Randolph Henry Ash (Jeremy Northam) on a fellowship. When Roland discovers what may be a love letter from Ash, a supposedly devoted husband, to the reclusive poet Christabel LaMotte (Jennifer Ehle), he recognizes that he's on to a big literary discovery. Enlisting the help of skeptical British academic Maud Bailey (Gwyneth Paltrow), Roland embarks on journey to discover more about the link between the two revered poets. As Roland and Maud track Ash and LaMotte's elusive romance across the British countryside, the two scholars begin a relationship of their own.
Although this film presents a kinder, gentler LaBute--who is known for emotionally caustic movies such as IN THE COMPANY OF MEN and YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS--POSSESSION still focuses on the relationships between men and women with skillful attention. Paltrow reprises her convincing British accent from films such as SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE and SLIDING DOORS, while Northam and Ehle lend gravity to their Victorian characters. However, it's Eckhart, a longtime LaBute collaborator, who proves to be the film's heart and soul; his relaxed yet complex personality grounds both the movie and its two intertwined stories. As the two tales progress, the relationships between the characters wax and wane, leading to an ending with a surprising twist.
Details
| Language: | English, French |
| Country: | USA, UK |
| Release date: | 16 August 2002 |
| Runtime: | 102 min |
Cast and Crew
as Maud Bailey
as Roland Michell
as Randolph Henry Ash
as Christabel LaMotte
Photos
Clips
Critics Reviews
Salon.com
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- by: Stephanie Zacharek
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
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- by: Rick Groen
