Dir. Neil LaBute
Possession is a story about a man (Roland Michell played by Eckhart) who is on a fellowship to the British Museum. There is a huge festival for the poet Randolph Henry Ash (Jeremy Northam.) While going through one of Ashs personal books Michell comes across a letter Ash had been writing, but never sent. Michell discovers the letter was written to Christabel LaMotte (Jennifer Ehle.) He has stumbled onto an affair involving two well-known poets that the literary world is oblivious to, and the two poets each have a reputation of being completely faithful to their partners. To make it more interesting and less likely for anyone to have figured this out before, LaMotte was a known lesbian. Nevertheless, a true love was held between the two. Michell enlists the help of an expert on Christabel LaMotte, Maud Bailey (Paltrow.) Together they uncover clues of the historic love, while discovering themselves and each other. The period piece deals with passion, betrayal, and poetry. It is the serious part of the movie, with little humor. For laughs you go to the modern part; it deals with excitement, mystery, and how living today has messed up peoples minds. (You find out everything wasnt wine and roses in the past either.) It has a little pain, which is quickly dealt with.
Jeremy Northam is a fantastic actor. He brought depth, heart and quite a bit of heat to his role. Jennifer Ehle has got twinkling eyes (Im not making it up, they twinkle) and a sly smile. When you combine the two actors and add in the poetry running around rampant you make for a heart melting/ heart-breaking story. Aaron Eckhart and Gwyneth Paltrow work well together, and show the humor and neuroses inherent in life today. Eckhart surprised me. He not only held his ground with some high-watt talent, but shines in his part. The weakest part of the movie would have to be Paltrow, and she was by no means weak. I enjoyed her part, but there was a little voice in the back of my mind whispering to me Isnt this the exact same part she played in Sliding Doors? Its true, she didnt bring anything to this character that she hadnt done in the other movie, but it works in this movie as well. On top of the wonderful performances, the scenery is beautiful and the costumes are gorgeous. I even like most of the hair.
Dont forget the chick-flick factor when deciding to see this movie, and with whom you see this movie.
I rate it: Full Price
Jeremy Northam as Randolph Henry Ash
Jennifer Ehle as Christabel LaMotte
Gwyneth Paltrow as Maud Bailey
Aaron Eckhart as Roland Michell