Obsession (1976)

A wealthy New Orleans businessman becomes obsessed with a young woman who resembles his wife.

Director:

Brian De Palma

Writers:

Brian De Palma (story by), Paul Schrader (story by)

Stars:

Cliff Robertson, Geneviève Bujold, John Lithgow

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cliff Robertson	...	Michael Courtland
Geneviève Bujold	...	Elizabeth Courtland / Sandra Portinari
John Lithgow	...	Robert Lasalle
Sylvia Kuumba Williams	...	Maid (as Sylvia 'Kuumba' Williams)
Wanda Blackman	...	Amy Courtland
J. Patrick McNamara	...	Third Kidnapper (as Patrick McNamara)
Stanley J. Reyes	...	Insp. Brie
Nick Krieger	...	Farber
Stocker Fontelieu	...	Dr. Ellman
Don Hood	...	Ferguson
Andrea Esterhazy	...	D'Annunzio
Thomas Carr	...	Paper Boy
Tom Felleghy	...	Italian Businessman
Nella Simoncini Barbieri	...	Mrs. Portinari
John Creamer	...	Justice of the Peace

Storyline

New Orleans businessman Michael Courtland's life is shattered when his wife and daughter are tragically killed in a botched kidnap rescue attempt. Many years later whilst visiting Italy he meets and falls in love with Sandra Portinari, who bears a striking resemblance to his wife.

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Plot Keywords:

doppelganger | year 1975 | florence italy | hitchcockian | year 1959 | 

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Taglines:

A bizarre story of love.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

September 1976 (UK)

Also Known As:

Deja Vu

Filming Locations:

Collegiate Church, San Gimignano, Siena, Tuscany, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$1,400,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$1,000,000, 8 September 1976

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Yellowbird Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Original title of the film was "Déjà Vu".

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Goofs

When Court and Elizabeth are briefly seen dancing to a conspicuous waltz soundtrack (roughly five minutes into the film), their movements and steps are nowhere near in the style of a waltz, clearly indicating that the scene was filmed to another music, with the waltz soundtrack added later.

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Quotes

Sandra Portinari: Uncle Bob. Where's mommy?
Robert Lasalle: She's dead, honey. Your daddy didn't pay the men... and they killed her. You see, I gave the man the money. I'm taking care of you now. Now, you're gonna go wih him on the plane to a far-away place where I've got friends you can live with. Now, I'll be there in a week to see if everything is okay.
Sandra Portinari: But where's daddy?
Robert Lasalle: He don't want you anymore, honey. Now, you go with the man. Go on!
Sandra Portinari: No!
Robert Lasalle: Go with him!
Sandra Portinari: Uncle Bob, *no*!
Robert Lasalle: Go with the man!
Sandra Portinari: [getting dragged away] UNCLE BOB! ...

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Crazy Credits

The film has no end credits, other than the words "The End" in the final frame.

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Connections

Referenced in Making 'Taxi Driver' (1999)

User Reviews

**** out of ****

Underrated masterpiece by De Palma was basically disregarded due comparisons to "Vertigo". Sure, the basic premise is the same, but De Palma takes it in a totally different direction. Technically, this is among his best works, with the beautiful camerawork complimenting a haunting, disturbing story. The story takes it's time, and while the slow pace may bother some viewers, patient viewers will realize that it works to draw them in. By the time it is over, it feels like you have just come out of a trance.