Obsession Blu-ray Review

• 8th Jul 2011

This early Brian De Palma effort has dated very well over the years, and thanks to Blu-ray it looks fresher than ever.

Yes, De Palma can’t ever seem to get over that Hitchcock influence, and it is non-more so evident than in this film. He takes the basic premise of Vertigo and reworks some of the obsession themes in that film into something altogether more modern (for the 70s anyway). And he makes them very much more for an adult audience.

This is not to say that the film is every truly graphic in a violent or sexual way. The themes are explicit, but never graphic. And it takes a mature adult mind to digest what has gone before camera by the film’s end.

Michael Courtland (Cliff Robertson – that’s Uncle Ben Parker from Spider-man to you young ‘uns) is happily living a wealthy life with his wife (Genevieve Bujould) and daughter. He runs a successful business with his partner (John Lithgow) and all seems never better. Then his wife and child are kidnapped – and instead of paying the ransom, Michael is convinced to try to help capture the men responsible, which results in the death of his family.

17 years later and a much more morose Michael is on business in Italy where he happens upon a dead ringer for his much missed wife. He starts up an uneasy relationship with the young woman which sees him tumble down an alleyway of obsession.

So – sounds very much like Vertigo. An older man falling for a young woman who is the spitting image of his past love. So far, so creepy. What makes this film so surprising are the twists and turns it takes through character development, never mind the plot. What makes it so successful is a very carefully judged performance by Robertson. You’re never sure whether to find his actions creepy, or to feel complete sympathy for his actions. And when an actor portrays life this well through his eyes it becomes all the more compelling.

An early scene focuses very quietly on his love for his family at their home as they dance together at a dinner party. His true passion for his wife is then taken further later that evening as both stare at each other in the bedroom as they get ready for bed. These two scenes are key to Michael’s deterioration, and then the manoeuvre into his obsession with the new woman.

De Palma was obviously on top of his game here. And the film delivers a climax that isn’t quickly forgotten.

The Blu-ray comes with a few promotional materials and a decent look back at the film from the film-maker’s perspective. There are also a couple of De Palma shorts and a booklet containing Paul Schrader’s original screenplay. And don’t forget the usual booklet, and reversible sleeves that come with Arrow discs. Another great inclusion in the Arrow Video release library.

Steven Hurst