fredrikgunerius Review of Obsession

Obsession (1981)

Feels more like a story from the 17th century than something from late 1970s

[6/10 · 4 August 2023]

This look at cross-generational love between a 16-year-old student (Tatum O'Neal) and a 60-year-old artist (Richard Burton) is a lot less controversial and hard-hitting than it could have been. Director Jules Dassin was clearly concerned with making his film virtuous - to the extent that the circle of relatives and acquaintances around our two platonic lovers act increasingly absurdly in order for Burton and O'Neal to come off as the sane ones. Along with the uneven production values, this gives the film an academic quality, even if there is material in here for real emotions and valid observations. A notably world-weary Burton aptly underplays and comes away from it all with a certain dignity; O'Neal gives her character spirit if not authenticity. They share a handful of beautiful scenes together, such as a song on a boat and the fairly classy ending. The director aims for tactful and timeless, but cannot prevent his film from appearing irrelevant and looking dated. At times, the love story feels more like that of a 17th century artist and his muse than something from late 1970s North America. Part of the problem is the supporting roles, most of whom are conspicuously unsatisfactory.