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First of all, let me just start out by saying that this movie is slow, unbelievably slow. And the 88 minutes that the movie ran for seemed much, much longer.

The story told in "Compulsion" had its moments, but it was overall weighed down by things taking too long. There were so many scenes that just dragged on for way too long, where the movie would have benefited from a trim and a notch up in pace.

"Compulsion" is about Amy (played by Heather Graham) who is obsessed about gourmet cooking and dreaming about getting her own cooking show on TV. All she cares about is her cooking and her food, desperately seeking approval in her cooking from her boyfriend/husband (?) Fred (played by Kevin Dillon). However, her compulsive obsession drives him away, and instead she starts to cook for her reclusive neighbor Saffron (played by Carrie-Anne Moss).

It should be said that the people in the movie were doing good jobs in acting, however, the characters were really odd. And I personally didn't really find much enjoyment in these characters, because they were all a bit too eccentric and out there. But thumbs up to the actors and actresses, because they did good jobs.

This slow paced thriller might not be suitable for just anyone, and I was tempted to get up and find something else to watch a couple of times throughout the 88 (long) minutes. But I stuck with it to the end, hoping that there might just be a change for the better just around the corner. But that was not to be...

I am rating "Compulsion" a mere 3 out of 10 stars, simply because the actors and actresses held the movie afloat, the rest of the movie - especially the storyline itself - was just downright boring and tedious.

This is really two movies which have been hacked apart and sewn back together--like Frankenstein's monster, but with vital parts left out. It could have been a pretty funny black comedy if it had simply played out the character of Amy (Heather Graham). Or it could have been a darkly tragic story of a ruined life with Saffron (Carrie-Anne Moss). Instead, it can't decide what it wants to be, tries to do both, and fails at both. It never strikes any sort of real balance, lurching from low-key comedy to emotionally wrenching child abuse. Near the end, the characters' alliance seems grafted together, rather than natural, relying upon what I can only call a denouement gimmick to close things out. All of the actors do well with their parts. I particularly enjoyed Heather Graham when her character was indulging in her flights of fancy. Carrie-Anne Moss gives everything, but really ought to be in a better movie than this. I know nothing of the Korean original, but surely it was better done than this remake. I give as many as 5 stars because the actors try hard, Heater Graham is a feast for the eyes, and there is some yummy food preparation.

I watched this film as a freebie from Dishnet. The ONLY good thing I can say about it is thank goodness I didn't pay for it! It was presented as being a drama/thriller with lesbianism--just my cuppa tea, or so I thought.

We only get to the lesbian sex in the last 15 minutes of this exceedingly repetitive and draggy film. They could have told the entire story in 30 minutes WITH commercials, BUT that's not what turned me so totally against this film.

The Amy character is completely OBSESSED with cooking and food, the Saffron character just wants to no longer exist. Put two & two together and you can easily come with four regarding where this disgusting, sick storyline is headed.

Watch it you have a strong stomach and like sick, twisted, disgusting stories!

1 star - only because I couldn't vote any lower.

Compulsion? Nope.

Dull, dreary, overacted, pointless drivel.

Stars Heather Graham and her cleavage. Also stars Carrie-Anne Moss and her misery.

Co-stars Kevin Dillon doing hammy Kevin Dillon stuff and Joe Mantegna looking uncomfortable.

Some other people are in it.

Red corridor, lots of cooking. Supposed to be sexy, thrilling, dramatic and macabre. Fails on all counts.

A little over halfway through its 88 minute running time I realised that, actually, I DO have the will to live, and left.

It promised Compulsion, I'd have accepted revulsion. Settled for expulsion!

You have been warned.

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The story of two disturbed women whose lives end up intertwining. Or to be precise, one obsessive and possibly delusional woman and another who simply has had a hard life. When the psychotic of the two, Amy, develops a fascination with her reclusive neighbour, Saffron, she shows it through trying to push her love of food on to her. What follows is a rather bizarre but intriguing series of events.

A great aspect of this film is that I believe it's open to interpretation. Amy clearly doesn't have the tightest grip on reality, in fact we are often shown glimpses into her head where an imaginary audience is cheering her on. Combine this with the plot and characters going in the strangest of directions and the sceptical comments of a particular other character and the film raises the question of how much of it is in Amy's head and how much of it is simply events going in such a unique way.

Admittedly, this film is probably a bit of an acquired taste(ha, get it). It's labelled a thriller, which is partly true but the vast majority of it is a character study. If you like analysing the mindsets of flawed characters, this film is for you. Worth re-watching if you want to look at things from a different angle.

actor and actress exaggerating every single line and facial expression the plot is so predictable and majority of the scenes are so 'UN-NATURAL' High-School Play would be better than this. the 'Matrix' lady really seemed to try in a given roll in this ridiculous clip but... she is just human. words just can not describe how awful this was even though i skipped through the scenes after 40 min. If the directors, producers or actors, actress somehow got a compliment, forget it. and keep that person as far as you can from you for your own careers sakes, because they are just saying it to flatter you. if you want to be trolled this is the movie i recommend you. I want a refund. ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE A MAN, WATCH IT WHEN YOU WANT A NEW TV.

This movie will probably stay with me for a while. Heather Grahm was beautiful in the movie and really made me feel for her characters. I was dreading that the movie was going to turn into a predictable girl gone crazy movie because I really like the characters of Amy. Luckily this film had more depth. One of the most disturbing things about the film is the cards that Amy is dealt in her life. I may be a bit biased because I'm a huge foodie like the characters so I really enjoyed that aspect of it as well.. The one thing I will say is this movie may not be for everyone. Hardcore horror fans may not appreciate the slow paced drama but at the same time drama lovers may not appreciate the macabre aspect of the film. I won't say much more but if you like simple yet disturbing movies is recommend this one

We watched it last night, and honestly, it wasn't that bad. I've seen a lot worse. The premise was a bit weak, the acting was average, and the story was transparent. It was almost like a characterture of what the real movie would have been. It hard to explain, but everything was over done, colours, costumes, scenery, acting, basically everything. That is what gave it a "pass" to be a mediocre movie. You can get away with it, because it's supposed to be campy.

I would recommend a rental if you want zombie out in front of the TV for 88 minutes. It's mildly entertaining and the two female leads are pretty enough to keep you interested.

The production was fine. The quality edit, colour correction, lighting correction and so on was done well.

A lot of people worked hard to make this film, so I applaud them for it. Nice work, decent product and no time wasted in production.

It's not a compelling movie, but it's a movie. A simple, nice, different kind of film. Recommended when you want to do nothing.

I love food. I love women... but as lovely as these two women might be they have absolutely NO chemistry whatsoever. In fact, this is the kind of movie that makes you think "wow... how can such a good actress suck so much?" (I'm looking at you Carrie-Ann)

The movie starts off pretty decent and just gets worse and worse with disembodied flashbacks and the worst portrayal of an eating disorder I have ever seen.

On another note, if you want to look at Heather's glorious tits for 88 minutes GO WATCH THIS NOW!

OK, enough is enough, I decided to watch this movie, even with its low rating, because someone said it was still worth the rental, I mean come on! the movie has a rating below avg, and if I gave it a shot was because of HG, but it's a total fail, the movie its based on a lame obsession and stupid drama, we stay there for an hour waiting for something to happened and we get nothing, nothing at all, just more lame drama and don't get me wrong the acting and everything except the story its fine, very disappointing. Just watch something else guys. Oh! and this isn't even a "R" movie, its more like "PG-13" yeah! because teenagers are the only ones who might be interested in lame drama.

(2013) Compulsion PSYCHOLOGICAL MYSTERY DRAMA

Unconvincing "301/302" from 1995 remake directed by Cheol-su Park, this version directed by Egidio Coccimiglio has Homicide Detective Reynolds (Joe Mantegna) asking, apartment 301, Amy (Heather Graham) about the whereabouts of her neighbor, living in 302, by the name of Saffron (Carrie-Anne Moss). As Amy is telling her story, we get to see how both of them first meet as we see how she's an compulsive cook. While Amy is an obsessive cook and Saffron is a struggling actress who doesn't like to eat very much at all. What are the odds surrounded with people who love to eat that they were going to be forever linked to one another. One of the major problems with this film is the fact that everyone likes to eat good food, and this film doesn't seem to realize that. It somehow dictates the entire environment to only involve three people into Amy's life and none of them seem to like to eat good tasty expensive food. The original 1995 version may be much more credible, because much of us are not familiar with the South Korean environment, and to have this film made for North American audiences would not be a possible transition at all, as far as how much expensive restaurants charge for an exquisite meal these days.

Something you should think Heather Graham would be able to do. And I'm talking acting wise not her character and what happens (or not) in the story. But unfortunately she lacks something. A secret "ingredient" (no pun intended) maybe? And even Ms. Matrix herself can not save this entirely (though she has the better role and makes more of it, than the lead we are given).

The story itself is pretty decent with some nice twists and turns. But most of some "what the heck" moments go by without making a big impact (even though they should be able to). It's a mixture of direction, setting and not really having an impact at the right time (or with the right "weapons", again no pun intended). While this has some flavor to it, it will rather leave you with a sour taste ...

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this movie. I was exhausted from work and felt like watching a predictable horror movie. This is not at all a thriller or a horror movie. It is actually an interesting buddy film between two damaged women who crave what they can't have--love. One tries to find fulfillment through cooking and baking and serving gourmet meals, compulsively nurturing, and another who is desperate for a nurturer, a bulimic who is unable to eat. It is visually very interesting. Amy (Heather Graham, whom I thought was fantastic)and her TV dreams are reminiscent of Nicole Kidman and TO DIE FOR; the bright colors of her dress against the sterile white fake TV set contrast with dark, dreary tones of her idol and then friend Saffron (Moss). I really enjoyed the lush, gorgeous meals Amy created, at first trying to woo Saffron as a friend and then, sensing Saffron's despondency and loneliness much like her own, attempting to sustain her through food and create some kind of sensuous joy for her. The ending makes this a black comedy, if one needs to label it. The writing is clunky and personally I would have enjoyed seeing a couple more scenes showing development of this friendship but filling in the blanks is fun, too.

'Compulsion' focuses on Heather Graham's character 'Amy', a woman obsessed with cooking, who gets by seducing wealthy men with her looks and her food. It could sound like a typical Heather Graham role, but it's not. This is a Graham we have not seen before, and she is altogether delightful. The plot is simple: a detective is investigating the disappearance of Amy's next door neighbor 'Saffron' played by Carrie-Anne Moss a reclusive former child star, and we see the relationship of Amy and Saffron develop in retrospect.

It is not a fast paced film, but like a fine meal the performances are there to be savored, in small bites, taken in slowly to relish each nuance.

An enjoyable little film full of the kind of intense and intimate relationships that you normally only find on a stage. Hopefully that will be enough to set the scene as Compulsion is not really a film, its a theater production put on to film.

Compulsion is two stories that unravel and then combine to become one as you really only get the second story after being fully immersed in the fervor and passion of Amy (Heather Graham). Heather Graham appears to have added more a little Nigella Lawson (Youtube her) to her depiction of a voluptuous gastronome desperately seeking acknowledgement and love.

So too does the other leading character Saffron bring a fine set of hang ups and issues played by Carrie Anne Moss.

Both lead actresses set the movie apart from ennui with excellent portrayals of their characters and through their selling of the story. They also looks fantastic (which can't be bad!).

If you take the movie for the play that it is, rather than the blockbuster you might be hoping for, then you should get on fine.

I see why it gets bad reviews as this aims to a very limited audience. If you thought this was going to be a fun and wacky chick flick with traditionally sympathetic characters, you were horribly, horribly wrong.

Everything but the script is damn near perfect, and the script is not terrible either. Not fantastic, but hand in hand with the good acting, fitting soundtrack and beautiful cinematography; it's a very enjoyable film.

IF you're the target audience.

If you're looking for something that dares be different from the rest of the lot, this movie is for you! Also, Joe Mantegna plays a detective in this. If you're a Criminal Minds fan you could watch it just to get a kick out of thinking of it as a crossover between this film and CM.

Aren't you just sick of all those cooking shows on TV? I'm not, because I never watch 'em. "Compulsion" parodies these gourmet splurges. If you think overdone parody could be fun, then you might enjoy this movie - if you don't, then maybe you won't. Heather Graham can handle the heat in the kitchen. She works this role hard, a tour de force. In fact, rather too much of the movie depends on her performance. One of the most loving things you can do is feed someone. You're holding the spoon, and you're actually putting the food into the mouth of a baby, or a helpless old person, or someone severely disabled. But people who have tried to get an anorexic to eat know that this can be a heartbreaking exercise. And Amy's reclusive and depressed neighbour (whose careers are slipping away) is anorexic. So the "feeding" begins to look rather sinister. But is Amy living in a dream world? Is this TV cooking show she's planning ever going to happen? And her partner seems to be losing interest in her brilliant culinary achievements. Perhaps he's losing interest in her. He'll need to be taught a lesson. She is heterosexual, right? Viewers will need to have patience. There are flashbacks, so pay attention. You have to accept the conventions of the genre. I liked it.