Saw Possession (1981, France/West Germany) last night with a half dozen members of OC Horror Fans. Met at a member's home as we try to do each month.
During the Cold War, Mark (Sam Neil) appears to be some sort of agent and has just returned from an assignment. He finds that his wife, Anna (Isabelle Adjani) wants a divorce as she is having an affair. Custody of their son Bob is an issue. Anna's behavior becomes more disturbing and we discover that it may be more than mental issues. Mark also appears to be coming unhinged.
Really disturbing and unusual, with some of the oddest characters you'll ever see. I'm not really sure what the intent of director/screenwriter Andrzej Zulawski was here, as it is more psychological drama than horror, although there are scenes that top many horror films I've seen.
A lot of the film involves Mark and Anna screaming at each other while destroying their apartment. There is one scene in a restaurant where Mark really goes berserk. The dialogue between the characters almost never sounds like natural conversation, often accompanied by the most bizarre physical actions which the other characters rarely comment upon.
Considering everything else the nudity and sex, except in one scene are almost secondary to the dialogue reaction of other characters. I have to admit that while disturbing there are a couple of scenes that are actually funny, although I'm unsure of the director's intent.
Also, while not stated outright the situation in the divided Berlin at the time is an underlying theme. Scenes often open with a shot of East German guards, on the Wall, appearing to watch events with binoculars.
There is a 'creature' that appears later in the film that changes during several scenes and is a great practical effect creation. It will make you uncomfortable in almost every scene in which it is shown. The scene of Anna returning from shopping as she goes through a subway tunnel (revealed to be a flashback) seems to go on for several minutes and is a pretty amazing piece of acting. Very disturbing.
Not a film that I can recommend, as its two-hour length can drag at times, but it is an interesting work with everyone seeming to be doing their best. A bit dated and the ending certainly marks it as a demonstration of the fears of the era and those who were there.
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