Possession (1981)Directed by Andrzej Zulawski
Writing credits Andrzej Zulawski
Isabelle Adjani .... Anna/Helen
Sam Neill .... Mark
Margit Carstensen .... Margit Gluckmeister
Heinz Bennent .... Heinrich
Johanna Hofer .... Heinrich's mother
Carl Duering .... Detective
Isabelle Adjani and Sam Neill are the most unhappy married couple in the world. They argue and scream at each other constantly. Isabelle wins in the screaming department. She is a shrieker. Isabelle runs off from time to time. Sam wonders where. She wants to be alone with her new lover. A lover that is perfect for her...
This movie is the definition of "overwrought". The actors are directed to be as over the top as they can. Isabelle Adjani deserves a special mention as the most hysterical woman ever put on film. The movie has a serious melodramatic vibe. It keeps the tone for the entire flick. If you're not in the mood for an explosion of emotions, this movie will grate you. I was ready for the ocean of emotion and enjoyed most of it.
Speaking as an exploitation movie fan, I must compliment one of the final scenes:
*EXPLOITATION SCENE SPOILER*
So Sam Neill tracks down Isabelle. He wants to see her new lover. He finds her screaming in ecstasy. On the bed is Isabelle having sex with a squid like monster! YAY! Her soul was in pain and her body created a perfect lover. Yes, Squid Man. I live for movie moments like that. It made all the screaming hysteria worth sitting through. There are some other good bloody scenes too.
*END SPOILER*
Make no mistake. This is no exploitation film. Although it does contain scenes of blood and guts. It's worth a look.
SCORE: 2.5 out of 4 overwrought Isabelles
4 comments:
Be sure to watch the uncut version, if the memory serves me well 11 minutes long.
Beside the advice, the only word that comes in top of my head is 'parthenogenesis'.
You've stumped me with your word so I had to look it up. Par⋅the⋅no⋅gen⋅e⋅sis: development of an egg without fertilization. Who knew I would learn something from "Possession" besides the meaning of overwrought? Thanks.
I want to bugger Isabelle Adjani (as she was in 1973 when she was 18, not as she is now obviously). By the way Dr. Gore, only 2.5 out of 4 !!!, "Possession" is one of the greatest 4 out of 4 movies of all time and a true "cult classic" par excellence.
I wouldn't go 4 out of 4 but in hindsight it probably deserves a 3 out of 4. However, The squid monster sex scene gets a 4 out of 4 for it's exploitation genius.
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