Obsession Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A dude recreates his dead wife with a new model, but it turns out to be the same model, only upgraded, and things get… weird.

🍿 Obsession: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Kidnapping

In 1959 New Orleans, wealthy businessman Michael Courtland celebrates his tenth anniversary with his wife Elizabeth and their daughter Amy. Their happiness shatters when Elizabeth and Amy are kidnapped, and a ransom is demanded. Following police advice, Michael provides fake money with a transmitter, but the plan fails, leading to a car chase.

Tragedy Strikes

The kidnappers’ car crashes into a fuel truck and explodes. Michael is left devastated, blaming himself for the deaths of his wife and daughter as their bodies are never recovered. He builds a replica of the Florentine church where he met Elizabeth as a memorial, refusing to develop the valuable land it occupies.

Reunion in Florence

Sixteen years later, in 1975, Michael travels to Florence with his business partner, Robert La Salle. He visits the same church and encounters Sandra Portinari, a young woman who bears a striking resemblance to his late wife. Drawn to her, Michael begins a relationship with Sandra, seeing her as a second chance.

A Twisted Plot Unravels

Michael brings Sandra back to New Orleans to marry her, but on their wedding night, she is kidnapped, and a ransom note identical to the first one appears. Determined to do things differently this time, Michael prepares to pay the ransom, unaware of a deeper conspiracy involving his business partner and the true identity of Sandra.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Michael Courtland (Cliff Robertson): A wealthy New Orleans businessman haunted by the loss of his wife and daughter, leading him to become obsessed with a woman who resembles his late wife.
• Elizabeth Courtland/Sandra Portinari (Geneviève Bujold): The wife and daughter of Michael, her uncanny resemblance to her mother becomes the object of Michael’s obsession later in life.
• Robert La Salle (John Lithgow): Michael’s business partner who orchestrates a twisted plot to gain control of Courtland’s assets.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Robert Lasalle: “Oh my God…” – Robert says this in shock upon seeing Sandra for the first time, due to her resemblance to Michael’s deceased wife.
• Sandra Portinari: “Daddy! You brought the money!” – Sandra exclaims this at the airport when she sees the money, revealing the twist of her true identity.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.4M
• Domestic Gross: $4.7M
• Worldwide Gross: $4.7M

💥 Obsession Reviews

Personal Review

I first watched ‘Obsession’ late one night, and it completely captivated me. Geneviève Bujold’s performance as both Elizabeth and Sandra was mesmerizing. The church scene where Michael first sees Sandra is breathtaking. The music throughout the movie is haunting and elevates the emotions. Although the plot has its questionable moments, I was so invested that I didn’t mind. The ending left me stunned and speechless. I would definitely recommend this movie.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Brian De Palma’s thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in psychological suspense”
  • “Those who appreciate Hitchcockian themes”
  • “People who like movies with plot twists”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Kidnapping”
  • “Violence”
  • “Themes of obsession”
  • “Implied incestuous relationship (though not explicitly depicted)”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “De Palma crafts a stylish thriller, paying homage to Hitchcock while carving his own path. Robertson and Bujold deliver solid performances, creating a haunting atmosphere. The plot’s twists keep the audience guessing, although some may find the pacing slow. Bernard Herrmann’s score amplifies the film’s emotional depth.
• The New York Times: “Obsession is a visually striking film with a compelling premise. De Palma’s direction is confident, and the performances are commendable. However, the plot falters under scrutiny, and the emotional impact is somewhat muted. Despite its flaws, it remains an engaging thriller.
• RogerEbert.com: “De Palma’s film has a great premise but loses grip with weak twist and ending. Robertson does his best, but the rest of the cast is misdirected, and it lacks depth. It offers visually arresting moments but ends up as a forgettable thriller.

Audience Reactions

Haunting score by Bernard Herrmann enhances the suspense.: Viewers appreciate the Hitchcockian suspense and visual style.

Geneviève Bujold delivers a standout performance in her dual role.: Many praise the performances of the lead actors, especially Bujold.

Overall Consensus: A visually stylish thriller with a compelling premise, but suffers from plot holes and an uneven emotional impact.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Brian De Palma has stated that Cliff Robertson would deliberately give poor performances during Geneviève Bujold’s reverse shots.”
• “Bernard Herrmann’s score for ‘Obsession’ was one of his last before his death and incorporates themes he developed for Hitchcock’s ‘Vertigo’.”
• “The film’s original title was ‘Déjà Vu’.”
• “The mausoleum Michael builds is a replica of the Basilica di San Miniato al Monte in Florence, where he and Elizabeth met.”

🖥️ How to Watch Obsession?

As of October 2024, ‘Obsession’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for streaming availability, as it may vary depending on your region. Physical copies (DVD, Blu-ray) can be purchased from major retailers such as Amazon and Best Buy.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Obsession, you might like these similar films:

• Vertigo (1958): Both films explore themes of obsession, mistaken identity, and recreating a lost love, with similar plot elements and psychological suspense.
• Rebecca (1940): Both films share a theme of a deceased wife casting a long shadow over a new marriage, creating a sense of unease and mystery.

🛒 Obsession Related Products

• Obsession (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Remastered]: Digitally remastered version of Bernard Herrmann’s haunting score. Experience the music that amplifies the film’s suspense and emotion. Perfect for fans of film scores and classic thrillers.
• The Brian De Palma Collection (Blu-ray): Deluxe blu-ray collection of De Palma’s most iconic works. Featuring crisp HD visuals and bonus content, this boxset is a fantastic way to get introduced to the master director’s filmography.
• Basilica di San Miniato al Monte – Florence Italy Photography Print: High-quality photography print capturing the beauty of Basilica di San Miniato al Monte in Florence, Italy. A striking visual piece for fans of the movie and Italian architecture, bringing the essence of the film’s key location into your home.
• Movie Still – Genevieve Bujold as Elizabeth Courtland: High-quality print featuring Genevieve Bujold in the role of Elizabeth Courtland. Captures the key features of what makes the movie so amazing.

🎧 Soundtrack

Obsession features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Bernard Herrmann
• “Sandra” – performed by Bernard Herrmann
• “The Tomb” – performed by Bernard Herrmann

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Vertigo, Hitchcock & the Spiral — Vertigo Film Analysis and the Perfect Symbol for Obsession

Ever wonder why Vertigo feels so hypnotic? This video breaks down Hitchcock’s brilliant use of spirals, from the music to the sets. Trust me, after watching this, you’ll see the movie in a whole new way!

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