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POSSESSION

What You Need To Know:

POSSESSION has two contemporary academics research the lives of two 19th century poets: Randolph Ash, a Poet Laureate based on the style of Robert Browning, played by Jeremy Northam; and, Christabel La Motte, an author of the same era known as a lesbian and a feminist, played by Jennifer Ehle. Gwyneth Paltrow plays bright young professor Maude Bailey, a La Motte scholar and descendant. A young scholar visiting from America, Roland (Aaron Eckhart), happens upon some letters that connect the two writers in ways previously unknown. Maude and Roland soon launch into an adventure that takes them across England, using the letters to trace the steps and intertwined lives of Ash and Christabel La Motte.

POSSESSION matches its beautiful cinematography with rich costuming and poetic language. Paltrow, a serious academic who has been burned in love before, claims that “there are no such thing as poets anymore,” yet becomes stirred by what she and Eckhart discover together. While their poetry is truly lovely, it emphasizes romantic and sensual pleasures over the reason of right or wrong. Both characters, though they wrestle some with their consciences, are ultimately caught in the traps of their emotion-driven actions

Content:

(RoRoRo, FeFe, Ho, B, C, O, LL, V, SS, NN, A, M) Very strong romantic worldview with characters controlled by passions with strong feminist perspective and homosexual theme of lesbianism with main character (nothing graphic, all implied) as well as biblical worldview in several characters who struggle to do what is right and exercise self-control, especially over passions, scene of regret about adultery, scene of Christian Mass and unwed mother seeks help in religious setting and chooses not to abort child, and brief scene of séance as character tries to contact spirit of a child; four obscenities, but nine uses of God or Jesus’ name carelessly; one brief scuffle with bloody nose, woman commits suicide, but no violence or blood; several sensual sexual scenes, one with man unclothed obviously having intercourse with woman who is covered with nightgown, depicted adultery, and implied lesbian relationship; partial nudity in sex scenes (legs, male chest, female shoulders, and cleavage); very brief scene of two characters drinking one beer; and, character repeatedly steals documents to help unravel mystery.

More Detail:

Neil LaBute poses this question about his new film, POSSESSION; “What does it mean to truly risk all? To go after something you would normally consider foolish, dangerous or just plain wrong – yet you cannot help yourself. Right or wrong, you are swept away.” LaBute’s film provides the answer to this question, an answer that remains consistently the same over time: disaster. However, for some, the indulgence seems worth the damage.

POSSESSION, an adaptation of A.S. Byatt’s novel by the same name, is a gorgeous movie. Shot in 11 weeks in England, including such locations as the British Museum, Bolton Abbey, Whitby, and Broughton Hall, it is a visual delight. LaBute paints the screen for us with the lush, green gardens, the gothic buildings and the cold seascapes of England, underscoring and emphasizing the romantic elements of his story.

In an interesting narrative approach, POSSESSION has two contemporary academics research the lives of two 19th century poets: Randolph Ash, a Poet Laureate based on the style of Robert Browning, played by Jeremy Northam; and, Christabel La Motte, an author of the same era known as a lesbian and a feminist, played by Jennifer Ehle. Gwyneth Paltrow plays the bright young professor Maude Bailey, a La Motte scholar and descendant. A young scholar visiting from America, Roland Mitchell (Aaron Eckhart), happens upon some letters that connect the two writers in ways previously unknown to even the best of academicians. Maude and Roland soon launch into an adventure that takes them across England, using the letters to trace the steps and intertwined lives of Ash and Christabel La Motte (who is based on Elizabeth Browning and Emily Dickenson).

POSSESSION matches its beautiful cinematography with rich costuming and poetic language. Maude, a serious academic who has obviously been burned in love before, claims that “there are no such thing as poets anymore,” yet becomes awakened and stirred by what she and Eckhart discover together. La Motte’s poetry is romantic (“I cannot let you burn me up, yet I can’t resist you”), and also nihilistic (“our doom is to live a long life out in a dark room”). Ash’s is sensual and relativistic (“where my thoughts are, there I am in truth”). While their poetry is truly lovely, it emphasizes (naturally, considering the Victorian Era setting) romantic and sensual pleasures over the reason of right or wrong, and both characters, though they wrestle some with their consciences, are ultimately caught in the traps of their emotion-driven actions.

POSSESSION does a good job of showing the audience the consequences of Romantic philosophy and even contains some elements displaying a biblical worldview. (Of course, many non-Christian worldviews borrow, some would say steal, from biblical, Christian concepts because people live in the world that God created.) The young researchers make an important moral choice in their relationship. When La Motte is in trouble, she seeks help and comfort in a religious community. It is disturbing, however, when Ash thanks God for his mistress as they lie together in bed readying to commit adultery.

POSSESSION tells a good story, a kind of academic mystery. It depicts the excitement and intrigue of scholarly discovery, a fresh theme in modern movies. The characters are well cast and believable in their roles. The relationship between Paltrow and Eckhart is fun, and funny, to watch unfold. Eckhart’s Roland Mitchell comes off a bit too immature and scruffy for an academic on fellowship with the British Museum, but the persona works well in his romance with Paltrow.

The biggest problem with POSSESSION is the clear endorsement of romantic philosophy over reason and morality. Ash obviously struggles with guilt over betrayal of his wife, whom he clearly loves. La Motte regrets hurting Ash and his wife, but in the end, she declares, “Was not the love we found worth the tempest it brought?” In the midst of the agony, the audience senses that they believe it was.

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.