20131123: Horror Review--The Possession

The Possession

1. Fundamentals, reception.
1. American/Canadian live action feature length film, 2012, PG13, 92 minutes, horror, thriller.  Estimated budget 14 million USD.  Aspect ratio, 2.35
2. IMDB: 5.8/10.0 from 31,392 audience ratings. Spoken word is in English.
3. Rotten Tomatoes: 39% on the meter; 49% liked it from 59,008 audience ratings. 
4. Netflix: 3.7/5.0 from 406,006 audience ratings.
5. Directed by: Ole Bornedal.
6. Starring: Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Clyde, Kyra Sedgwick as Stephanie, Natasha Calis as Em, Madison Davenport as Hannah, Grant Show as Brett, Jay Brazeau as Professor McMannis, Matisyahu as Tzadok.


2. Setup and Plot
1. Clyde is a basketball coach on his way up; he has practices and meetings that take odd and long hours.  He also has two daughters and a wife from whom he is separated.   Custody is joint; Clyde has gotten a new home to which he takes the girls.  He needs more furnishings; he and the girls go to a local yard sale.


2. Unfortunately, they buy some objects from a house where a woman passed away under strange circumstances.  Purchases include a ring and an old, faded mirror.  Odd effects soon start appearing, affect Em the most, and affect others as well. 


3. Soon enough it's clear to the viewers that this is a possession film, but not to the characters.  One of Em's spells is misinterpreted by Stephanie as a physical attack by her ex, and Stephanie takes it to court.


4. Clyde consults Professor McMannis about possession.  He tries to find a way to free Em, despite Stephanie, despite Brett, despite the courts, despite the possessing spirit.  He gets help from Tzadok.


5. Who prevails in this metaphysical battle?


3. Conclusions
1. One line summary: Good production values, good acting for the most part.
2. Four stars of five.


4. Scores
1. Cinematography: 10/10 No problems.


2. Sound: 10/10 No problems.


3. Acting: 8/10 Jeffrey Dean Morgan was great, Natasha Calis was excellent as Em.  Grant Show was reasonable as the interloper who destroyed a marriage; Ms. Sedgewick was a detriment as the stupid, angry fool who believed him.


4. Screenplay: 8/10 Has a beginning, a middle, and an end.  The logical progression is well done.