One of the few films on our watchlist I've yet to see, Possession fascinated me considering the reviews and interviews with cast pointing to this work as one of the weirdest and most unsettling movies EVER. Ladies and gentleman, as a fan of these types of films, believe me when I tell you: it's beyond weird and unsettling. It may, in fact, not be a "good" film after all.
Possession: Divorce drama or psychological horror mind game?
Surprise! It's both. Seriously. In the first half of the film, you begin to doubt that you're watching a horror film at all. The uncomfortable ways in which the wife Anna and husband Mark (super young Isabelle Adjani and Sam Neill) hurt each other and themselves and especially their child, Bob (poor Bob), spur the viewer to yell at the screen, Get on with it! Oh, was that just me?
But be careful what you wish for. When this movie turns weird, it really turns weird. Anna has a lover who/that is, well, a monster. The lead up to the reveal is stomach-wrenching so I will let you experience that all for yourself. Let's just say that tentacle porn has its moment in this film. Not kidding at all.
The themes run from martial fidelity to mania to gender roles and spirituality to doubles/doppelgangers. Polish director Andrzej Żuławski seems determined to put every single idea he has ever had into one film. While I enjoy a good weird film, this one seemed a chaotic mess and not just regarding the heavy gore, which I usually don't mind. While watching, I looked up interviews with the leads because, from an outsider's viewpoint, it looked like a really emotionally and physically exhausting even traumatizing shoot. And it was. Again, no surprise there.
One thing I greatly enjoyed was the cinematography and the clear contrast of clean color in the beginning but gradual stark deterioration and decay as the film progresses. The color palette is just delicious. Also, every actor seemed to give so much of themselves and I have to appreciate that. Still, I will not be rewatching Possession. Even with the inexplicable acting/directed choices of lover #1 Heinrich (Heinz Bennent), seen below in a strange dance fight with husband Mark. Dude's acting style is fascinating and I need to know if he was directed to play Heinrich in this way.
Possession: Worth at least one viewing!
Listen, just because I found it tedious doesn't mean you will. I always say: Watch for yourself! Here's the original trailer so you can see that lovely cinematography and the commitment of each actor to go balls out.