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Description
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.
Possession Review
Adapted from the Booker prize winning novel, "Possession" tells the story of an American literary student Roland (Aaron Eckhart) who enlists the help of a tight lipped English University lecturer Maud (Gwyneth Paltrow, with that convincingly familiar home counties twang) to discover if there is a previously unknown connection between two (fictional) greats of Victorian literature: romantic poet and supposed loyal husband Randolph Henry Ash and proto-feminist and supposed lesbian Christabel LaMotte (Jennifer Ehle). As their investigation into the past takes them from dusty libraries to faded stately homes and the wilds of Yorkshire we get to watch their cautious and contemporary relationship develop slowly, even as we also see Ash & Christabel's illicit relationship blossom into a full blown passionate romance in a supposedly less enlightened and more repressed time.
As ever, fans of the original novel will no doubt be disappointed with the way that this intrinsically British artefact has been hijacked by Hollywood and sent back across the Atlantic with a newly Americanised lead character in Roland, two American stars in Eckhart and Paltrow, and an American in charge behind the camera with "In The Company of Men" and "Nurse Betty" director Neil Labute. However filmgoers with no knowledge of the book (like my good self!) may find it easier to engage with LaBute's gently compelling, character driven tale.
Special Features
Audio Commentary By Director Neil Labute, Trailer
Technical Details
Region 2
Running Time: 102 minutes
Production Year: 2002
Main Language: English
Genre: Drama
Certificate: 12 Suitable for Persons Aged 12 or Over
Directed by: Neil Labute
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