Possession

“We are all the same, but in different words. In different bodies and different versions.”Distraught wife Anna, played by the captivating Isabelle Adjani, is the highlight of Possession. Although other actors in this film may be described as melodramatic, Adjani’s plummet into full psychosis feels so visceral that the audience’s laughter at her dialogue soon turns to silence, as she cuts her neck with an electric knife, screaming bloody murder. The most disturbing scene, however, has to be in the subway, where Anna describes a miscarriage that she experienced when Mark was away for work. Her frenzy of pain and panic is portrayed in a way that may seem over the top in another film’s context. However, within the walls of this arthouse marvel, the audience are left feeling traumatized as Anna convulses and flails, finally falling to the floor and expressing red and white liquids from every orifice of her body.  The only criticism I have for this film is that it may not appeal to the wider public. The shaky narrative, hammy acting, and inconclusive storyline may leave audiences quite confused. For those who love an obscure arthouse film full of interpretation, it is certainly one to visit repeatedly. My main question for those who have also seen Possession would be is Bob really that good at holding his breath or did I just watch a child kill himself? I will certainly be revisiting Possession again one day to try and unravel its complex themes.