Possession

This movie was very uneven I think I would have to see the Japanese version or read the book in order to appreciate it better or at least understand what happened at the end of it. Too much of vital details was left on the cutting room floor apparently or maybe the director expects too much of his audience. Wanting an intelligent audience is one thing but leaving so much details out to the point whereby the audience is practically left to make up their own movie is just ridiculous. It has shades of Bollywood's 'Anamika' in it. The idea behind the film was brilliant but it was executed poorly. I like Sarah Michelle Gellar but this was not one of her best work.

This film is about a woman whose husband and her brother in law were injured in a serious car crash. After her brother in law regains consciousness, he believes that he is his brother.

"Possession" has an interesting plot which keeps you interested and guessing throughout. The mystery is preserved to the very end. Though the acting is not outstanding, the plot makes up for it. The ending is a little weird, as there are scenes which seems to contradict the ending that is suggested.

If the ending is clearer and more focused, then "Possession" would have been even better.

After its end, you understand than your expectations are the basic cause for not be just gained by this film, in essence a correct one.

So, as consolation remains the acting more than the story itself and source of frustrations is the so many opportunities to make this film just a good one. But , sure, the decision of director, giving, as compensation , a not inspired but sweet moment is the important one.

This is middle-tier SMG film, but I must say, it has really grown on me over the years. It's gorgeously shot, the story is pretty twisted which keeps you guessing, and Sarah has total command over the emotion of the film. She's pretty fantastic; she's always been one of the best criers in Hollywood, and here she manages a certain emotional state consistently as Jess collects these experiences and weighs the possibilities. Lee Pace is rather good, too.

The directors have a strong sense and a compelling approach to the material that is not stylish and clicks with the audience. The script is the most flawed aspect but serves the basis for a solid thriller. It's quite impressive that they filmed an entire alternative third act. I do prefer the alternative ending to the more Hollywood-ized final version. However, the producers made the right call. American audiences wouldn't have gone along with Jess's final motivations and conclusion in the alternative ending. I find the psychology so interesting.

I wish it would have had a proper wide theatrical release. It would've made $bank$ had it been released early February or mid-April.

American remakes of South Asian films have often produced disastrous results. 'Possession' faces a similar fate. It's not as bad as most remakes of South Asian movies but as a stand alone it's not very good either. The execution is passable. There are some eye-candy photographic visuals but the background score is annoying. The forced 'jump' moments are unnecessary and out of place.

The movie hardly works as a thriller but to an extent it does work as a human drama. Jess's hope of her husband's recovery conflicted with her confusion in seeing her brother-in-law act familiar is well displayed. Sarah Michelle Gellar is brilliantly restrained. How I hope she would move out of the horror thriller genre and attempt different kinds of roles. Lee Pace's performance suffers due to poor characterization.

'Possession' is easily forgettable. Other than Michelle Gellar's performance, there isn't much to look forward to.