Possession Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two literary nerds find some old love letters and suddenly everyone’s having affairs and digging up graves, because obviously, that’s what happens when you read poetry.

🍿 Possession: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Discovery in the Present

American scholar Roland Michell, working in London, discovers hidden love letters suggesting a secret affair between Victorian poet Randolph Henry Ash and poet Christabel LaMotte. This challenges the accepted image of Ash as a devoted husband. Intrigued, Roland teams up with Maud Bailey, a LaMotte scholar, to uncover the truth.

Unraveling the Victorian Affair

As Roland and Maud delve into the letters and diaries, they piece together the forbidden romance between Ash and LaMotte. They learn of LaMotte’s unconventional lifestyle and her initial reluctance towards Ash. Their investigation takes them to various locations in England and France, mirroring the journey of the Victorian lovers.

Rivalry and Romance

The scholars face competition from other academics eager to exploit the discovery for their own gain. As they work together, Roland and Maud find themselves drawn to each other, mirroring the passionate connection they are uncovering in the past. The modern couple grapples with their own emotional barriers as they unravel the historical mystery.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Maud Bailey (Gwyneth Paltrow): A reserved and intellectual literary expert who is a descendant of Christabel LaMotte and becomes romantically involved with Roland while researching the Victorian poet.
• Roland Michell (Aaron Eckhart): An American scholar who uncovers a secret love affair between two Victorian poets and finds himself falling for Maud Bailey.
• Randolph Henry Ash (Jeremy Northam): A famous Victorian poet, traditionally seen as a devoted husband, who engages in a passionate love affair with Christabel LaMotte.
• Christabel LaMotte (Jennifer Ehle): A free-thinking Victorian poet who has a hidden love affair with Randolph Henry Ash, challenging societal norms.
• Fergus Wolfe (Toby Stephens): A rival academic and Maud’s former lover, who tries to thwart Roland and Maud’s research to claim the discovery for himself.
• Blanche Glover (Lena Headey): Christabel LaMotte’s lesbian lover, who is deeply affected by Christabel’s affair with Randolph Henry Ash.
• Cropper (Trevor Eve): A wealthy and unscrupulous collector of Ash’s works who will do anything to acquire the newly discovered letters.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Christabel LaMotte: “I cannot let you burn me up, nor can I resist you. No mere human can stand in a fire and not be consumed.” – Expresses the conflict between her attraction to Ash and the danger it poses.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $25,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $10,113,733
• Worldwide Gross: $14,815,898

💥 Possession Reviews

Personal Review

I found ‘Possession’ to be a beautiful and thought-provoking film. The parallel love stories, set in different eras, were fascinating to watch unfold. I was especially drawn to the Victorian romance and how it reflected the societal constraints of the time. Gwyneth Paltrow and Aaron Eckhart had great chemistry, and I enjoyed following their journey as they unraveled the past while navigating their own feelings.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Lovers of period dramas”
  • “Fans of literary mysteries”
  • “Viewers interested in romance with intellectual themes”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Implied sexual content”
  • “Brief language”
  • “Themes of infidelity”

Professional Reviews

• Indiewire: “Possession presents a unique storyline and fascinating glimpse into the world of literary investigation. It earns points by showcasing the behind-the-scenes details of unearthing a writer’s biography and the cutthroat nature of rival investigators. The film offers two complex romances occurring a century apart, echoing each other with sharp, intelligent dialogue.
• N/A: “Possession isn’t a very good film, but it maintains the appearance of one, offering mystery, romance, and great literature. The director only puts his heart into the costume story line and the modern-day lovestory between Gwyneth Paltrow and Aaron Eckhart suffers greatly. Nevertheless, Possession makes for an OK diversion into quasi-romance.
• N/A: “Possession should serve as a great example of how NOT to make an historical drama. Lessons: Do not intercut the present with the past. Do not give away the story at the begining of the film.

Audience Reactions

The Victorian scenes were especially beautiful and featured great acting.: Viewers appreciated the unique storyline and the seamless cutting between past and present.

Fans loved the twist ending and the way it tied the two timelines together.: Many viewers praised the film for its intricate plot and the way it explored themes of love and obsession.

Overall Consensus: While some critics found the film lacking in depth, many viewers enjoyed its romantic storyline and beautiful cinematography.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on the 1990 novel of the same name by A.S. Byatt, which won the Booker Prize.”
• “Several scenes were filmed on location in Whitby, North Yorkshire, transforming the area to resemble a 19th-century fishing town.”
• “Gwyneth Paltrow’s mother is Blythe Danner”
• “The filmmakers went to great lengths to recreate Victorian England. Production designer Luciana Arrighi, an Oscar winner for ‘Howard’s End’, meticulously crafted the sets and costumes to ensure historical accuracy.”

🖥️ How to Watch Possession?

Possession is available to rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check your preferred streaming service for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981): Features parallel storylines, one set in the Victorian era and one in the present, exploring themes of love and societal constraints.
• A Room with a View (1985): Explores themes of love, societal expectations, and self-discovery in a lush, romantic period setting.
• Shakespeare in Love (1998): Examines a hidden love affair set amidst a historical backdrop involving writers and artistic inspiration.

🛒 Possession Related Products

• The Complete Poems of Randolph Henry Ash: A comprehensive collection of poetry from the fictional poet Randolph Henry Ash, as featured in the movie. This anthology would be a valuable addition to any literature lover’s collection.
• A.S. Byatt’s Possession (Booker Prize Winner): The original novel that inspired the movie, offering a more in-depth exploration of the characters and themes. A must-read for anyone who enjoyed the film and wants to experience the full story.
• Victorian Style Journal: A decorative journal reminiscent of those used by the Victorian poets in the film. A perfect place to jot down your thoughts and capture your creativity.
• Antique Style Quill and Ink Set: Write your own letters like the Victorian poets. A collector’s item or decoration.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Possesso” – performed by Ramón Vargas
• “Music from the Motion Picture Possession” – performed by Gabriel Yared

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Most Insane Break-Up Film Ever Made – Possession | Shocking Cinema

Ever wonder what makes ‘Possession’ so disturbing and unforgettable? This video breaks down the film’s wild themes and direction, I never thought a breakup movie could be this intense!

Possession (1981) Ending Explained | Haunting Tube

Confused by the ending of ‘Possession’? This video clears up all the ambiguity and provides a satisfying explanation, I finally understood what was going on after watching this!

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