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Visitors Review

midge56 2012-05-21 15:15:43

Good movie... Poor ending... misnamed title

If this movie had a better ending and a different title, I would havegiven it 9 stars. The actors were superb! The story was excellent! Thedirectors were terrible. This is not a horror movie. It was a lovestory with a supernatural twist, a Hitchcock style mystery with apowerful, exciting climax and then... CRASH! No Ending! We were lefthanging.It was "almost" a great movie, but the directors missed the mark withthe ending and the title. The title was completely wrong for thismovie. Possession is a name for a horror movie. Apparently, thesedirectors do not understand that a "Possession" is perceived as an actof violence by a malevolent entity. It is an overpowering by somethingevil. This storyline wasn't a possession, it was more of a "rebirth,""transference," "joining" or "awakening" that the movie was trying toimply with the switch. It was centered on the spirit of a loving spousereaching out to his wife through his brother. Possession impliesmalevolence... which is why the audience felt deceived by thedirectors. When you mislead the expectations of an audience, you aregoing to get bad reviews and ratings.The DVD cover was as misleading as the title. The photo on the DVDcover looks like it belongs with a completely different movie and boreno semblance to this film. To make the problem worse, there are alreadya half dozen other movies with the same name "Possession." This movieshould have been called something like "Reflection," "Inner Spirit,""Echo," "Transference," "Rebirth" or "(a rose) by any other name"...(you get the idea). There are dozens of better titles they could haveused. This title will also work against the DVD sales and rentalrevenues. Most people will assume they've already seen it by the namewithout double-checking like I did. It was hard enough just finding theright entry on IMDb.The directors' filming styles did not fit the movie. They used choppyflashes of horrific images and sudden loud banging noises to instillfear in the audience like you would with a horror movie or thriller.That might be OK with a movie like "The Ring" or "Darkness" but it wasout of place on this film... especially on the opening credits. It gavethe audience the perception that the movie would be nonstop killingsand violence. This movie had 2 terrible directors who took an excellentstory, good screenplay and superbly talented actors and treated it like2 high school kids pretending to be directors in their garage. If notfor the directors, this could have been a fantastic 9 star movie.It really was a good movie throughout until the last scene when we wereleft dangling with no ending. Leaving a movie hanging, is a very badway to leave a movie or treat an audience. Very poor judgment on thedirectors' parts. For this kind of a movie, a happy ending would havebeen nice... but this movie literally had no ending at all.The movie also did not close out the issue of the missing girlfriend.Yes, there was a memory flash of what he had done, but that was not aclosure... (the alternate scene didn't count), but someone needed tofind her. Apparently, these directors have a problem with "closures"and endings in his movies. Something to be wary of on their futureendeavors. I don't think they should be directing this genre of movie.They don't quite know how all the pieces should fit together. Theyobviously do not understand US audiences or how to properly direct afilm.. They turned a winning movie into a dud.I had been hoping for some redeeming alternate scenes after thedirectors left us hanging without any ending... but I was not pleasedwith any of the alternate scenes at all. They would not have added anyenhancement to the movie and would have ruined the movie if they hadused them. The alternate scenes created an irreversible finalitysituation... leading up to an alternate ending which was even worsethan the regular ending. The directors couldn't even get the alternateending right. They are apparently clueless as to how to appropriatelyend this kind of movie.A love story like this should have had an ending with a glimmer ofpositive hope... more of a glimmer than the one they left us with. Thismovie genre is more in the category of the film "Ghost". (Just for thedirectors' info, the patient bursting awake and then returning to deepcoma is contradictory and unlikely). If they had wanted to end themovie properly, Ryan would have stayed awake after that last episode.The wife would have had a miscarriage, but the doctor should havewheeled her into Ryan's room where his eyes were open and they exchangemeaningful, loving expressions and touch hands where we would knoweverything was going to be all right. That's how you end a movie likethis. I'd recut, retitle & re-release this movie. Shame on thedirectors for spoiling what could have been a really great movie.I still recommend watching it. It is a good movie and good story, aslong as you understand the disappointment waiting for you with the"lack of ending" and you understand this movie is nothing like thetitle implies.

golightly24 2012-05-21 10:08:57

Dissatisfying film, better alternate ending...

It's not even a thriller! This is just a suspense/drama film. Theconcept is better than the execution. Pace is the best thing about thefilm, but even he struggles with a role that isn't written with anyreal depth. How is he in love with the protagonist if he just got outof jail? Because she took his case? SMG's character is poorly developedand the whole relationship triangle seems poorly developed, withconfusing time-lines to boot. However, I do agree with the reviewerabove who says that the US DVD version's alternate ending works better.It is more intriguing in terms of what both characters appear to knowabout themselves and each other. How long will Roman be able to hold ittogether with his change of mindset? Why does SMG's character decide totake such risks? Did she learn to love him for real, or is she justmourning her husband? Anyway, the alternate ending was more satisfyingby far than the hackneyed ending of the actual release, which reallymakes no sense, and appears slapped together. The thought that Ryan'sneurologist is evidently also an obstetrician, as suggested in one ofthe closing scenes, is laughable, for instance. Only die-hard SMG andPace fans. I can't remember the time when I've seen a movie with such amarkedly different alternate ending where where the alternate was somuch better than the released film. will find much to savor here.

2012-05-19 21:35:08

Possession or schizophrenia?

Possession starring Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Michael Landes (Final Destination 2) and Lee Pace (Pushing Daisies) is the American remake of Korean director Young-hoon Park's 2007 movie "Addicted (Special Edition)". And like most American remakes of Asian films, something got lost in the translation.Originally I had no idea that this was built off of Addicted, I was more interested in the fact that SMG, Michael Landes and Lee Pace were all in a movie together--separately I love them, I couldn't see a problem with seeing them altogether. Objectively speaking Possession isn't a horrible film. The storyline is a good one, the acting is fair and atmosphere was there aplenty. It falls apart with the narrative structure and pacing.After the accident, when Roman(Pace) is convincing Jess(SMG) that he's her husband Ryan(Landes) Jess begins incredulous (and highly offended), but pretty quickly it seems as if Roman's superficial evidence is breaking down her defenses. Grief certainly plays a part, but common sense seems to have fled completely.Much is made of the difference between the ending that is attached to the movie and the alternate ending in the deleted scenes. Was it a better ending? I guess it depends on what you thought Jess believed. The two endings are very different for all 3 characters, but neither really fit in my opinion. In neither ending does it detail if what Roman/Ryan said was true (in regards to how she felt about Roman). One is highly ambiguous and the other teases at the possibility that what he said was true and she was hiding it. Also in one ending its more of a 'supernatural' twist then the other. The movie as a whole isn't very supernatural, its definitely more of a psychological thriller, but there would be odd little flashes where it almost seems like they wanted to hint at there being something supernatural at work, but didn't take the time to properly expand upon it. I wouldn't suggest seeing this movie if you enjoyed Addicted. All the problems that Ring-u fans and Ju-on fans had in regards to the American remakes stands very true for this movie as well. However if you are a fan of Sarah Michelle Gellar or Lee Pace, I'd encourage you to rent this movie. Lee Pace is wonderful and Sarah is enjoyable to watch as well.

paul david 2012-05-19 11:33:19

Okay as a drama but a disappointing drama thriller

I may review this report after watching the film a second time. thistime around, I was most disappointed, expecting from the DVD sleevepromotion and the very title of the film, a demonic horror thriller. Nosuch thing.Another love triangle involving a young woman and two brothers, this isa soppy sentimental love story but I can see where people are comingfrom in thinking the husband Ryan has possessed the soul of his brotheras a result of the accident. they could have fed off the recent film'Brothers' which had a war topic to the story and although not great,delivered the goods. this film doesn't.There is no real drama or horror in this movie and the ending ismacabre to say the least. The acting is below standard even from theleading lady and the script is poor, the story told with so slow a paceit was excruciating.Checking IMDb, there are quite a few films by the same title and it wasdifficult at first to identify the correct film on which to post thereview.There have been some very sensible and to the point comments byprevious commentators about this movie. it remains to be seen whether Irevise this review after a second viewing.

Pat M 2012-05-16 23:29:23

pretty good movie

This movie wasnt bad, it made you really think..i thought the ending could have been better, the way i turned form good loving relationship to oh ***** you really arnt him and your messing with me was kinda sudden. Also you would think that that girl could think of something better that only her husband would know..overall i was a good movie.

2012-05-16 17:47:13

Where is it?

It's two days after March 12th and I've been searching everywhere for this movie. Just found out it hasn't been released....whudafxup. Sarah Michelle Geller and Lee Pace are two of my favorites and I'm dying to see it, but where the heck is it?

kosmasp 2012-05-14 11:30:34

Difference

I haven't seen the Original Asian movie this is based on, but I ampretty sure, that I would like that more than the Remake I have seen.I'm pretty sure it is more subtle and has better character arcs. Notthat the actors are bad in this, but as someone else wrote in amagazine: Seems like Sarah M. Gellars career has gone AWOL, since Buffyended. And this movie won't bring her career back.It's a nice little psycho thriller, that tries to stay ambiguous, butyou might know where this is going, without me or anyone else tellingyou about it. There's still a chance you might like it more than someother people, but also a very good chance you might not like it at all.There's better thrillers out there, but you could pick a worse movie.If you are a fan of Sarah M. Gellar, you might wanna give it a try ...also if you like thriller movies in general (with a touch ofsupernatural thrown in for good measure). Everyone else should stayclear of this

2012-05-14 07:10:45

Not released

According to some info gathered on the net, the rights to the movie were bought by a production company and they are pulling the DVD release to try and release the film in theaters... I am not happy.

2012-05-10 03:10:19

Possessed by this movie

This review is from: Possession (DVD) Jess and her husband, Ryan, have it all. A great marriage, a beautiful home, and she is a successful lawyer. Life is good - until Ryan's prodigal brother, Roman, is jailed for assault and is now out on parole. He has to stay with his brother and his wife during his probation period, but he and Ryan are like night and day. Ryan loves his brother and wants to support him despite his violent background and bad attitude. Roman is not beyond redemption, he just had a bad past relationship with his father and doesn't know how to deal with his anger and resentment. Jess does not like Roman, he frightens her, and she wants him out of the house. Ryan cannot throw his own brother out after all he's been through. Roman overhears their argument one day regarding this and leaves on his own, his belongings in trash bags slung over his shoulder as Jess looks on. She calls Ryan and tells him Roman has left the house. Roman is not supposed to leave the state. Ryan says he is going to return home immediately and as he is crossing the Golden Gate bridge, he is trying to call his brother Roman, unaware that Roman is on that very same bridge heading right toward him from the opposite direction. The fog is thick, Roman is driving recklessly and as he passes a car, his own brother is in his path and they collide. Moments later they are both laying on the road, unconcious and badly injured. They are taken to the hospital and put in the same room together, still unconcious, their faces badly bruised, so much so that Jess cannot tell which man is her husband.And therein lies the rub, as they say, in this suspenseful thriller starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Lee Pace, and Michael Landes. It is a story about love, loss, loyalty, redemption, deception, second chances, and forgiveness. This film goes a lot deeper into the human psyche than most thrillers normally do. It asks, `Can love heal all past hurts?' It also confronts the viewer with the question - `Can one become so lonely and wracked with grief over the loss of a loved one that your morality and all that you believe in can be disregarded in order to have the comfort of love once again?'Lee Pace is heartbreakingly wonderful in the role of Roman and Sarah Michelle is very believable as the wife who is caught in the middle of the emotional relationship between the two brothers. My only wish is that the directors and producers had the guts enough to use the alternative ending shown in the special features instead of the ending used in the actual film. But I guess I can applaud them for even considering such a thought provoking alternative ending to this movie, because it certainly deserved it. It leaves you wondering what you would do in Jess' place. I recommend this mainly for Lee Pace's heartfelt performance. Without his acting ability, it would have been a mediocre movie at best. I highly recommend "Possession".

2012-05-09 17:14:15

True Love In A Coma...

I love Sarah Michelle Gellar (SCREAM, THE GRUDGE, THE RETURN). She's the reason I watched POSSESSION. Ms. Gellar is quite good as always, this time as Jess, the wife of the world's most attentive husband, Ryan (Michael Landes from FINAL DESTINATION 2). Ryan writes love letters and gives Jess roses every day! He whispers sweet nothings in her ears and buys her jewelry every ten seconds or so! Yep, he's perfect! All is well in the couple's cozy love-nest except for their house-guest, Ryan's eeevil, violent brother, Roman (Lee Pace from THE FALL). This uncomfortable triangle is blown apart when Ryan and Roman are in a car accident that leaves them both in a coma. Oh no! Icky Roman regains consciousness, while wonderful Ryan remains vegetative! To make matters worse, Roman now claims to be Ryan, and says / does all those cutesy things that his brother did! Poor Jess! Of course, there's a twisty story involved, and things just might not be as they seem. Though there is mystery and a bit of suspense, POSSESSION does drag in places, making it feel longer than it needs to be. Worth a glance...

I-Watch-Movies 2012-05-05 06:33:01

Adequate, but not what I expected...

Based on the trailer and the tags for the movie I expected a little bitof a horror/thriller from the movie, instead I got a slow moving tenselove story. The movie lacked a wow factor, while being watchable andbeing a remake I would have wanted more out of the second release.Acting in it was good, nothing outstanding as it only was composed ofthree actors for the majority and of those two that showed anydepth.Regardless of what I expected though, the movie was very slow ina lot of areas and then the theatrical version (and from what I readthe alternate version is much better) provides an ending that wasjumbled and developed poorly for the viewer. They seemed to just tossout this ending without thought to turn it into a somewhat creepy ideaof "possession" that I found to be quite bland.Overall if you watch a lot of movies and need something to watch, checkit out, its not horrendous. Otherwise, there are plenty of other flicksworth pouring an hour half into.

Claudio Carvalho 2012-05-04 23:34:36

Tragedy and Manipulation

The lawyer Jessica (Sarah Michelle Gellar) is married with heraffectionate husband Ryan (Michael Landes) and they lodge Ryan'sbrother Roman (Lee Pace) in their home. Roman is a violent scum thatwas defended by his sister-in-law and is presently on probation. WhenRyan and Roman have a weird car accident, they are hospitalized in comawith no expectation to survive. However, Roman surprisingly awakesbelieving that he is Ryan. Jess is forced to bring him home and alongthe days, Roman has the same behavior and attitudes of Ryan. Further,Roman recollects moments of confidence between Jess and her husband,raising doubts if he is possessed by the soul of Ryan in theemotionally feeble Jess. "Possession" has an intriguing premise but a poor screenplay andexecution. The story of a man possessed by the spirit of his brothercould be an excellent horror, thriller, drama or even story ofrepressed desire. Unfortunately despite of the lovely Sarah MichelleGellar, the plot is not well developed and has many flaws, like forexample the fate of Casey or what would happen with Jessica afterkilling Roman. This movie is a remake of the Korean "Jungdok" that hasnot been released in Brazil. My vote is six.Title (Brazil): "Sombras de um Desejo" ("Shadows of a Desire")

2012-05-02 01:44:17

Chilling, Brilliant...

This is probably the best american adaption of a Asian horror film ive seen in a very long while, its unpredictable, disturbing and superbly acted. The events keep you hooked up until the shocking ending. I never really understand the hate these sort of films get, i always prefer them, but thats just me. This is a highly enjoyable, chilling film, and SMG is in it so... buy it!

Ro 2012-05-01 10:12:23

Not Bad!!!!

Overall this movie was a pretty good thriller. You found yourself thinking ahead of the movie to try to figure exactly what was going to happen. The ending could have been a little more happier with husband coming out of the coma.

2012-04-30 19:02:41

Too short to be any good

This review is from: Possession (DVD) 'Possession' was really diappointing because the movie is too short. They could have done so much with this to really keep you on the edge of your seat, keep you guessing, and could've made many twists and turns. It doesn't and it fails and falls short of what it could have been. The movie itself is about 2 brothers.. 1 good, 1 bad. The good one is Gellar's husband. One night there's a car accident and ironically, the accident is between the 2 brothers. They're both in the hospital, both in a coma. One comes out of the coma.. yes u guessed it, the bad one. However, he talks, acts and remembers things that only her husband would know. Is the brother actually her husband? Did their souls switch bodies? Or is it something more? That's the basic plot. Sounds good enough, but the problem is that the movie is so short that they cram all the answers in there way too quickly, leaving no time to try and fit puzzle pieces together or be surprised. They give everything away in a very short time. The movie itself is only a little over 80 minutes long. By the time the car accident happens and the one brother comes out of the coma.. they leave very little time left for all they could have put in there to really make this a really good suspensful movie. A real let down.

collipal-1 2012-04-30 11:04:44

Entertaining, but nothing special

Possession is one of the best films in actress Sarah Michelle Gellar'sfilmography...something which does not represent too much flattery.As Ihave mentioned in other occasions, I was a huge fan of the TV seriesBuffy: The Vampire Slayer, and I think that Gellar brought a brilliantperformance in there.However, most of the films Gellar has beeninvolved in are bad, and she was absolutely wasted in many ofthem.However, Possession kept me entertained, despite the facts that isnot very memorable and that it feels a bit bland.The story from Possession is not very original; nevertheless, I likedthe performances, the atmosphere and the methodic path the screenplaymakes until leading to the "tense" ending, which is not very tense byitself, but which seems so thanks to the solid works from Gellar andLee Pace.In conclusion, I think Possession deserves a moderate recommendation,mainly because of the performances, Joel Bergvall's and SimonSanquist's efficient direction, and the screenplay, which does notoffer too many new things, but at least is well structured.In otherwords, Possession is competent, but it lacks of something special tomake it memorable.

2012-04-23 07:40:15

Possession Is Ok

I bought this at a used DVD shop and it was good suspense..yet when she finds out who is who...then it leaves it hanging and whose baby is she going to have? It was fair..not horrible..but it could have been better.

2012-04-22 23:16:45

Another great performance by Sarah

This review is from: Possession [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) I have been a fan of Sarah Michelle Gellar since Buffy. This movie is another great performance. It is also strange to see the pie maker from Pushing Daisies as a bad person. It was a thoroughly enjoyable movie.

Jizdenky 2012-04-22 10:39:34

Sarah Michelle Gellar Rises Above a Poor Script

American remakes of South Asian films have often produced disastrousresults. 'Possession' faces a similar fate. It's not as bad as mostremakes of South Asian movies but as a stand alone it's not very goodeither. The execution is passable. There are some eye-candyphotographic visuals but the background score is annoying. The forced'jump' moments are unnecessary and out of place.The movie hardly works as a thriller but to an extent it does work as ahuman drama. Jess's hope of her husband's recovery conflicted with herconfusion in seeing her brother-in-law act familiar is well displayed.Sarah Michelle Gellar is brilliantly restrained. How I hope she wouldmove out of the horror thriller genre and attempt different kinds ofroles. Lee Pace's performance suffers due to poor characterization.'Possession' is easily forgettable. Other than Michelle Gellar'sperformance, there isn't much to look forward to.

2012-04-22 00:08:53

a nice psychological thriller

First and foremost, the cover of the dvd does not tally at all with this film's theme. This is not a horror tale like "The Grudge" but rather, a psychological thriller with a romantic twist. It is nice to see Lee Pace in a different light, away from the "Pushing Daisies" persona. Sarah Michelle Gellar also did a tremendous job in this little known flick. The plot is good and it is rare to find a film which deals with this kind of story. Buy!