Possession (2002): Dir: Neil LaBute / Cast: Aaron Eckhart, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeremy Northam, Lena Headley, Jennifer Ehle: Two movies in one with a theme of influence. Aaron Eckhart plays a literary student trying to piece together several letters written by a Victorian poet. Gwyneth Paltrow assists him and romance blooms. Dwelling on flashbacks is crucial to the story effect. The villains who attempt to sabotage their search serve no purpose. Director Neil LaBute previously made the intriguing dark comedy Nurse Betty, another film about someone inflicted with confusing messages. Here he successful combines romance and mystery within what can be called two films in one. Paltrow pulls off a sympathetic performance as a woman bent on solving a mystery of love yet finding it herself. She plays off her role with intelligence and wit while Echhart is effective as the determined student joining her in the mystery. One benefit is that Paltrow and Eckhart are not involved in a dimwitted rom com. Jeremy Northam, and Jennifer Ehle are superb in Victorian roles whose story effectively parallels the other but in a more tragic sense. Other roles are placed too far in the background to matter. Theme regards power of love and our dictation whether it will flourish or die. Final scene is significant upon how history can be affected by carelessness. Enchanting romance with stunning art direction and spellbinding parallels. Score: 8 ½ / 10

Maud and Roland are brilliantly performed by Paltrow and her fellow lead, however LaMotte and Ash are the ones that will capture at once your interest! I ranked this film with an 8, mainly because I liked it even better than the book itself!!! The core of the story is all there, but the truth is being revealed at a faster and more appealing pace, without the long poems, short stories, diary entries and other literary works (not to mention other subplots) that the novel is full with...The only cost in those omissions were the philosophical battles behind both authors' writings and of course the significance of LaMotte's magnum opus "Melusina" for herself and literature, that is only mentioned once and in a harry at the film by Ash, as "the Fairy Project"...Another point that should be more emphasized in the film would be the various meanings of the title word (possession) as they are used in the book. The main question was whether "we own/possess the ones we love?". Also, the point that Roland started his research by keeping letters that were not in his possession... And..."the letters should belong to the senders or their receivers?" Also... there is a pun with the alternative meaning of "possession", that is "an idea or maybe a feeling that takes possession of your mind, an obsession".I am grateful to the writers that left outside the film some irritating characters, like Roland's fiancée and the two other female scholars (one expert on Ash's wife and another expert on LaMotte)...

POSSESSION is a handsomely produced romantic affair combining both modern and period romance skillfully with overlapping flashbacks that delve into the research being conducted by GWYNETH PALTROW and AARON ECKHART as they gradually fall under the spell of romance themselves.Its leisurely pace and artistic trappings make it the ideal sort of romance for viewers who like relationship tales rather than a constant stream of fireworks. There's a Merchant/Ivory feel to the whole film, tasteful in every way as far as settings, costumes and performances are concerned. Credit for that must go to Neil LaBute who has done a skillful job of creating past and present in a way that is fluid rather than jarring, going easily from the 21st Century to 19th with camera movements that blend them together seamlessly. JEREMY NORTHAM and JENNIFER EHLE are impressive as Victorian lovers caught up in an illicit relationship.Paltrow is more appealing than usual even though her role is rather one dimensional and Eckhart is appealing as the American doing his earnest research believably. The trouble is that neither the present nor the past has a particularly fascinating story to tell and this is especially apparent after more than two hours have passed without any resolution to the tale.A fanciful tale for admirers of Victorian romance, its appeal is limited to a certain spectrum of the audience looking for a tale that explores relationships.

I missed this movie when it was first released, I finally got to see it & am glad I did.It is a romantic love story, told the old fashioned way,by people talking. Outside of some kissing & vague moments, we feel the romance & love without being subjected to needless nude sex scene.Neil LaBute directs David Henry Hwang's screenplay adaptation of A.S. Byatt's novel with care.Aaron Eckhart & Gwyneth Paltrow are researchers & find part of a love letter written 150 ago,between a 2 poets who supposedly never met Jeremy Northam & Jennifer Ehle play this couple from the past/Every scene is just beautiful, the acting by all is first rate.It did have a modest release across the USA,But regretfully did not do the business It should have.This type of film was standard movie fare years back,I think it still should be. Iprobably would have given it the same rating if it were released in 1952.Ratings: ***1/2 (out of 4) 02 points (out of 100) IMDb 9 (out of 10)