POSSESSION - Bitesize Review # 13

POSSESSION ***

USA/UK: Neil LaBute, 2002.
Format: Original Theatrical Release

Note: My bitesize review was originally published by the Kent Messenger Newspaper Group (7.11.2002) and refers to the theatrical run of the film.

Adapted from A.S. Byatt's Booker Prize winning novel of the same name, Possession focuses on the efforts of American research assistant Roland Michell (Aaron Eckhart) and qualified academic Maud Bailey (Gwyneth Paltrow) to unveil a secret love affair between two 19^th century poets.

The investigation begins with the discovery of love letters written by the esteemed Randolph Henry Ash (Jeremy Northam) addressed to lesser-known Christabel LaMotte (Jennifer Ehle), a descendent of Maud's.

Recorded in history as a devout and honourable husband, the suggestion Ash could have been involved with Maud's relative is a revelation of such magnitude to rock the literary world. As Roland and Maud piece together the events surrounding this illicit romance their own relationship begins to mirror the passion and anguish of their subjects.

Disappointingly, neither love story smacks of real sexual energy despite the accomplished acting of the cast. In truth the pacing of the film is hampered by the constant cutting between the affair of the past and the potential romance of the present.

This suggests Possession is better as a book than a film. Although the difficult task of cramming all of Byatt's powerful novel into a two-hour film is one that was always going to compromise the rich texture of the story.

In saying that, LaBute's script still contains some resonant observations with regard to the lure and turmoil inherent to love. The fragile romance of the modern couple is restricted by their own personal apprehensions, a stilting confinement not dissimilar to that of the inflexible social mores of their forebears.