Introduction"Obsession" is a 1976 American psychological thriller-mystery movie directed by Brian De Palma, written by Paul Schrader, and starring Cliff Robertson, Geneviève Bujold, and John Lithgow. The film's plot carefully follows Alfred Hitchcock's "Vertigo", with different twists and turns.
Plot SummaryThe movie opens in 1959, New Orleans, where wealthy businessman Michael Courtland (Cliff Robertson) discovers that his other half, Elizabeth, and nine-year-old child, Amy, have been abducted. The kidnappers require a large ransom, and in spite of police guidance, Michael chooses to provide it. However, the strategy goes terribly incorrect, causing the awful deaths of his better half and daughter.
Fast-forward to 1975, still in New Orleans, where Michael celebrates the 16th commemoration of his other half and daughter's deaths. He still holds on to the past with their rooms untouched, and he frequently visits a memorial he has commissioned in their memory. Throughout one memorial visit, Michael satisfies Sandra Portinari (Geneviève Bujold), who looks identical to his late wife.
Interested and consumed by Sandra's similarity to Elizabeth, Michael invites her to New Orleans, where they soon end up being engaged. Unbeknownst to Michael, Sandra is in league with Michael's veteran organization partner Robert Lasalle (John Lithgow). They conspire to recreate Elizabeth and Amy's kidnapping to fleece money out of Michael and after that eliminate him. However, Sandra truly succumbs to Michael and chooses to inform him about the upcoming risk, but it appears too late as Robert now prepares to eliminate both of them.
The climax reveals that the 1959 kidnappings were a sham, prepared by Elizabeth and Robert to escape their uneventful lives. Elizabeth was, in truth, Sandra's mom, and the nine-year-old Amy was Sandra. With this stunning twist, the movie concludes with a renewed sense of discovery, love, loss, betrayal, and obsession.
Acting and DirectionCliff Robertson plays his role as a grief-stricken, haunted man powerfully, showing depth in his misery and obsession. Geneviève Bujold's double function is handled with persuading vitality. As Sandra, her gentle innocence shines through, and as Elizabeth, her regret and misery are palpable. John Lithgow's performance as the cunning and treacherous Lasalle stands apart.
Brian De Palma's direction is a display of thriller and intrigue, blurring the lines in between truth and impression. Making use of color, lighting, and time moving boosts the film's overall atmosphere. Paul Schrader's movie script supplies a strong structure for the narrative, weaving intricate layers of love, betrayal, and insanity.
Last word"Obsession" has an engaging narrative that keeps the audience intrigued throughout. De Palma's execution and the exceptional performances from the cast make sure the film's place as a timeless psychological thriller. The extreme story, filled with unpredicted plot twists and unnerving suspense, is a distinct testament to the power of obsession.
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