Brian De Palma's OBSESSION revisited

The making of Obsession (1976)
Director: Brian De Palma
Writers: Brian De Palma & Paul Schrader
Cast: Cliff Robertson, Genevieve Bujold, John Lithgow

[@karenharris4027]

Magical film...I saw it over 40 years ago...and have never forgotten it. Bernard Hermann's soundtrack really makes it a riveting spiritual experience....

[@ackamack101]

I think one of the most magical things about this film is the score by Bernard Herrmann, his penultimate film before scoring Taci Driver. The score is a masterpiece and was a happy experience for Herrmann, who loved the film. The music provides a carpet of magic that that the entire film is bathed in.

[@RobbieB_]

Another great performance by the wonderful Bujold. She was especially brilliant in 1973's Kamouraska, a French Canadian film; and very charming in L'Incorrigible (1975), another French film.

[@kendalson7100]

I like this film a lot. A very stylish thriller and Ms. Bujold was quite good.

[@vilemflusser9794]

My favorite director !

[@steve2713]

This movie resides in a corner of my mind. It never quite goes away and when I come across a similar movie in mood or style; well, nothing ever tops it.

[@obrienstanley5275]

You could not have put it better. I was a movie projectionist when the film came out. And it has always stayed with me.

[@majortom4658]

Please all see, BRIAN DE PALMA - MASTERPIECES, for a beautifully orchestrated film tribute mix of cinematic cinematography, dialogue & song, FANTASTIC !!!!!

[@nr655321]

Very operatic movie with plenty of nods to high brow culture. De Palma has such an acute understanding and appreciation of arts. That's why his later movies - such as Scarface or Body Double - although very modern, if not downright FASHIONABLE, still retail an aura of artistic ETERNITY.

[@MrHootiedean]

Obsession is my favorite DePalma film!

[@RiFFi1955]

Tremendous film!

[@bomtown]

My mom and I saw this together in the theatre. I loved this movie. Beautiful camera work and music. Little did I know that my favorite actress Angie Dickinson would be cast in Dressed to kill in 1980. I am captivated by De Palma's movies. Loved Body double which then quenched my love of Los Angeles.

[@KenFromBeara]

Love John Lithgow. He plays a variety of characters and emotions. He is evil, scary, funny and convincing

[@discodirk48]

Remember seeing this film in a dusk till dawn drive in with 3 features that my parents snuck me into as I was 12.

[@BujoldComa78]

Genevieve Bujold should have won the Academy Award for her performance. Sadly she wasn't even nominated. I am a bit biased though.

[@todddrow6831]

BujoldComa78 i think not. Bujold is tremendous in this. She has to convey a lot and yet withhold a lot with the dual Amy/Sandra characterizations, and she has an arresting quality throughout, even in the brief, wordless, stylized "beloved wife" portrait of Elizabeth. And her scenes on the wharf, in the airport, and the finale are unforgettably raw in a way that transcends performance. She's so great she even makes up for Robertson's decencies as an actor and one-note performance. Exquisite film. I wish DePalma had worked with her again...

[@ryangettig274]

Watch Choose Me:)

[@alaindorval7292]

She was one ot the best actress of the 60's and the 70's and extremely beautiful,one the favorite actress of the late Gene Siskel..Hollywood did not treat her well,she was blaklisted for a few years after her oscar nominated performance in ``Anne of the thousand days`` (She should have won) because she refused to do a movie called `` Mary,Queen of Scott``... Sad because she was at her prime..

[@ritaspera384]

Crap movie .. over the top nonsensical theories and music .. very dated and ridiculous ending and gross especially because she knows the truth ugh .. hated it .. I thought Vertigo wasn't much of a film too ..

[@mundi352]

@@ritaspera384 clearly you lack insight or imagination, particularly since Vertigo is one of the grest film masterpieces of the last century. Interesting that yoy disliked this film enough to seek out this featurette just to write negative comments about it.

[@steve2713]

This movie makes Genevieve Bujold.

[@davidzeoli2001]

Absolutely Karen (and others) - this film had a major effect on me and I spent the next 40 years creating and media. Those camera moves blew me away. Of course now they are so much easier - but they were so complex back then. I believe that BD is the most underrated American director.

[@misterX1964]

Actually, DePalma was not happy with Cliff Robertson, he later admitted in a different interview.

[@alaindorval7292]

Genevieve was not happy too,she had a lot of difficulties working with him..

[@andrews527]

But he's so good in this.

[@asheisadora]

De Palma wanted Kirk Douglas to play the part. I thought Robertson's spaced out, slightly crazed affect worked perfectly.

[@slyslaughter5115]

It has some flaws, yes,, but the overall effect is tremendous. Herrmann included.

[@wblake1]

Why is no one comparing this movie to a Greek tragedy of Oedipus/Electra kind?

[@SoulStylistJukeBox]

Such an absurd film - but - a beautiful score and wonderful cinematography.

[@orton_re8360]

A *failed* exercise in style, but my god, what style - when the *motion* in motion picture meant something vs. the 2D imaginations of 4K Netflix hacks. Strongly suggests the need for two alternate Director’s Cuts - with DePalma’s original structural and suggestive versions restored.

[@ryangettig274]

Highly recommend Man On A Swing-with Cliff Robertson from the 1970's..................

[@justinrampley4834]

You must see Vertigo if you enjoy this film. It's heavily influenced by it. Just like Body Double/Dressed to Kill for Psycho, Blow-Up for Blow-Out etc.. De Palma is probably the most shameless of the movie brats in regards to creating homages to famous directors' works.

[@adamzanzie]

I'm quite certain that most of us here don't need to be told where De Palma gets his influences. Anyway, he's more than just just an homage director. What De Palma does is take old themes and push them a step further through inventive camerawork and music, and by experimenting with style.

[@leostales2681]

@Justin Rampley Don't worry, way more people have seen Vertigo than Obsession. I personally consider both to be movie masterpieces.

[@radentstwo9793]

I enjoyed Vertigo but this...not so much

[@VidaCultural17]

Body Double is quite like a Vertigo/Psycho/Rear Window

[@M27UNDERGROUND]

This movie...feeeels like a your watching it from the perspective of a ghost

[@themadmattster9647]

Absolutely spot on

[@mattcastellanos2178]

DePalma has spoken openly about cliff Roberts’ attempt to undermine Bujold’s great performance by using vacant stares and 1 dimensional acting.

[@waterloobridgefrance]

Robertson runs the gamut of emotions from A to B. Dozens of actors would have done a better job in the lead. Rock Hudson and Kirk Douglas are two that come to mind

[@asheisadora]

Disagree. I thought he looked intense and unhinged, but it was all under the surface I liked his performance..

[@179cpv]

Kirk Douglass would have been awesome.

[@ericjourdain892]

@@179cpv well he made the following one, right? 😜

[@themadmattster9647]

@@asheisadoraI felt like he portrayed the feelings of regret and loss very well

[@misterX1964]

Obsession is okay, but Sisters is still my favorite !

[@michaelmeza5395]

Blow Out man...

[@rgwebb5165]

A beautiful mess of a movie.

[@joesharkey189]

A ridiculous movie and the music is even worse.

[@SmilyLord800]

Why? Music is fantastic and mysterious

[@mundi352]

It requires a certain level of intelligence to appreciate. Not for the average viewer.

[@SparkyMarkyMark23]

It's amazing. Don't care what u say.

[@themadmattster9647]

One of my favorite films, the themes of nostalgia and loss really resonate with me. It’s very dream like

[@SparkyMarkyMark23]

U forgot this 1 of the final music score by Bernard Herrmann.