Surprisingly, for a Lifetime movie, this was really watchable. Not great, necessarily but definitely watchable. The fetching Jenna Elfman plays a woman accused of harassing a handsome doctor. As the plot kicks in and the point of view switches from Jenna's seemingly normal medical writer to the doctor we learn that the young lady isn't all she seems to be. Handled in a really mature character-oriented fashion instead of the usually hysterical overly zealous admirer-from hell manner. And Jenna's really got acting chops!
15 Reviews
Nice movie based on true story???
sudesh-katariya10 October 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Obsessed is a nice movie for a nice evening.
Its mainly he-said/she-said movie because its taken from a true trial case. And like all movies that fit into this class, director has put an extra effort to make the judgement (in real case) look like as if it is truth.
Shouldn't we say 'Based on true trial case' rather than 'Based on true story' because nobody knows the truth except Ellaina and Doctor Stillman themselves. Judgement of court is based on facts and everybody who has seen a real-life trial knows how lawyers and liars bend them easily.
Ellain(Jenna Elfman) is a successful medical writer who is obsessed with a neurosurgeon Dr Stillman. Although this is exposed very slowly till the end.
Ellain is shown to be schizophrenic just because it aids true trial case outcome. Movie could have been excellent, if facts from both sides were given similar treatment by director and he had left decision in hands of viewers.
Not to mention, Jenna's performance is amazing.
One of the dialogues in the movie(may not be accurate): Dr Stillman: "You are amazing." Ellaina: "I like it when you say that word. Say it again."
Jenna you are amazing ;P
Its mainly he-said/she-said movie because its taken from a true trial case. And like all movies that fit into this class, director has put an extra effort to make the judgement (in real case) look like as if it is truth.
Shouldn't we say 'Based on true trial case' rather than 'Based on true story' because nobody knows the truth except Ellaina and Doctor Stillman themselves. Judgement of court is based on facts and everybody who has seen a real-life trial knows how lawyers and liars bend them easily.
Ellain(Jenna Elfman) is a successful medical writer who is obsessed with a neurosurgeon Dr Stillman. Although this is exposed very slowly till the end.
Ellain is shown to be schizophrenic just because it aids true trial case outcome. Movie could have been excellent, if facts from both sides were given similar treatment by director and he had left decision in hands of viewers.
Not to mention, Jenna's performance is amazing.
One of the dialogues in the movie(may not be accurate): Dr Stillman: "You are amazing." Ellaina: "I like it when you say that word. Say it again."
Jenna you are amazing ;P
Disturbing Psycho-Drama
lavatch28 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
In the early scenes of "Obsessed," the filmmakers left the audience guessing as to who was telling the truth. Was the medical writer Ellena Roberts being honest in her claim that a doctor had led her to believe that he was willing to divorce his life to marry her? Or, was Dr. David Stillman more convincing in his allegation that Ellena was a disturbed and deluded stalker who was fabricating a story about a romance between them and that she was guilty of harassing him and his wife?
But, by the midpoint of the film, it became clear that Ellena was nuttier than a fruitcake. At that point, the film became both predictable and strained in its attempt to sustain interest. While the film was apparently based on true events, it stretched credibility to believe that a judge and district attorney would clear the courtroom of males to cater to the defendant's neurosis.
Ellena's life was filled with bizarre twists. She completely made up the story of psychologist named Dr. Olivia Reese, and it was Ellena herself writing obsessively to Dr. Stillman in the name of Dr. Reese. She once held down a strange job at Ozzy's strip club, yet did no exotic dancing. Instead, she read aloud to men from Freud's "The Interpretation of Dreams."
In the end, the portrait of Ellena Roberts was not a pretty one. Apparently damaged from childhood by heartless and troubled parents, the adult Ellena is guided by this philosophy: "Men! They suck!" Still, she was obsessed with one man to the degree that she committed malicious acts of harassment that led to a two-year prison sentence. In the closing scene, Ellena looks very pretty in the color of an orange jumpsuit
But, by the midpoint of the film, it became clear that Ellena was nuttier than a fruitcake. At that point, the film became both predictable and strained in its attempt to sustain interest. While the film was apparently based on true events, it stretched credibility to believe that a judge and district attorney would clear the courtroom of males to cater to the defendant's neurosis.
Ellena's life was filled with bizarre twists. She completely made up the story of psychologist named Dr. Olivia Reese, and it was Ellena herself writing obsessively to Dr. Stillman in the name of Dr. Reese. She once held down a strange job at Ozzy's strip club, yet did no exotic dancing. Instead, she read aloud to men from Freud's "The Interpretation of Dreams."
In the end, the portrait of Ellena Roberts was not a pretty one. Apparently damaged from childhood by heartless and troubled parents, the adult Ellena is guided by this philosophy: "Men! They suck!" Still, she was obsessed with one man to the degree that she committed malicious acts of harassment that led to a two-year prison sentence. In the closing scene, Ellena looks very pretty in the color of an orange jumpsuit
Intriguing though a stretch
blanche-23 September 2004
This is a good movie, very intriguing. Jenna Elfman is a very good actress. She is totally believable in this dramatic role.
It's a he said/she said film (except that the real story is eventually revealed) but I'm not sure I believed the ending. Without giving anything away, I will only say I'm not sure I buy the ultimate decision or what happens to the Elfman character. I'm not saying it's incorrect - only that I don't buy it. I think there would have been some doubt. As far as other elements of the story, on legal grounds, it is incorrect. Nevertheless, this movie is watchable, entertaining, interesting and has strong performances.
It's a he said/she said film (except that the real story is eventually revealed) but I'm not sure I believed the ending. Without giving anything away, I will only say I'm not sure I buy the ultimate decision or what happens to the Elfman character. I'm not saying it's incorrect - only that I don't buy it. I think there would have been some doubt. As far as other elements of the story, on legal grounds, it is incorrect. Nevertheless, this movie is watchable, entertaining, interesting and has strong performances.
Better than could be expected
Enchorde27 March 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Recap: Ellena Roberts is arrested but insists that everything must be a misunderstanding. She had an affair with a successful surgeon and got a little over-zealous when he broke it off. At least that is her story. The surgeon, David Stillman, has a completely different story. He claims Ellena harasses him and his family and that the affair never took place. Lawyer Sara Miller offers to represent Ellena and finds her in the unenviable position to decide what is the truth, Ellena's version or David's.
Comments: Often when you see a made for television movie you dismiss it before you even see it. Sometimes that is a mistake, and so it is in this case. This was a very interesting and intriguing movie that kept me alert the entire time. What is most interesting that the movie actually seems unbiased. Often enough the movie chooses side for the audience, we are clearly shown who is the good guy to root for and who is the bad guy to loathe and fight against. For once, this movie lets both parties, literally in a court, present their cases. And both stories make sense. At least initially there is precious little that indicates whom to believe. Which is interesting because in real life, in real court, this must be a common situation. There are two versions, both mutually exclusive, and you must decide which one is the truth. And in this movie you get to see which one, but it is not presented right away so it is an interesting tale to see.
It is a good cast, even if few of them is famous. But Jenna Elfman do deserve an extra mention because her role could not be easy to do, and she pulls it off spectacularly.
This movie is much better than expected, well worth to rent if you wish to see something else than a fast paced action. Do not dismiss it beforehand.
7/10
Comments: Often when you see a made for television movie you dismiss it before you even see it. Sometimes that is a mistake, and so it is in this case. This was a very interesting and intriguing movie that kept me alert the entire time. What is most interesting that the movie actually seems unbiased. Often enough the movie chooses side for the audience, we are clearly shown who is the good guy to root for and who is the bad guy to loathe and fight against. For once, this movie lets both parties, literally in a court, present their cases. And both stories make sense. At least initially there is precious little that indicates whom to believe. Which is interesting because in real life, in real court, this must be a common situation. There are two versions, both mutually exclusive, and you must decide which one is the truth. And in this movie you get to see which one, but it is not presented right away so it is an interesting tale to see.
It is a good cast, even if few of them is famous. But Jenna Elfman do deserve an extra mention because her role could not be easy to do, and she pulls it off spectacularly.
This movie is much better than expected, well worth to rent if you wish to see something else than a fast paced action. Do not dismiss it beforehand.
7/10
Above average as these things go.
rmax3048232 September 2004
Warning: Spoilers
Spoilers.
Speaking to you as your forensic anthropologist, and I know I'm not, and -- oh, won't you please sit down? It wouldn't be hard to reconstruct Jenna Elfman's face if her skull were found in the densely wooded area where most bodies are found. It's an unusual splanchnocranium. She has a sizable jaw, flaring zygomatic arches, and then the upper part of her face squeezes itself together into a narrower skull.
Superficially she has close-set eyes that are narrow. Her lips are narrow too (and very expressive). It would be more accurate to say, about her body, that every once of fat is properly distributed, rather than that there is no ounce of fat at all. She's beautiful, and she has a tall dancer's body. (She taught Paco how to dance near the beginning of "Serpico.")
Doctor Stillman is a stereotype. A nice famous Jewish doctor, the kind of guy with a face as interesting as a hard-boiled egg, who will obey orders at home and do what he's told, when he's not out making himself famous or raking in mountains of shekels.
Jenna Elfman thinks they had an affair, when evidently they didn't. (I'm not sure I believe that. Stillman may be a schmuck, but Elfman's legs are each 5 feet long.) She develops a case of "erotomania," which is made to sound like something that only a total basket case would suffer from. It's the "delusion," which is a technical term for a belief that flies into the face of all evidence to the contrary, that a famous person, such as a renowned neurosurgeon, is in love with you.
Put it another way though. Don't do the dumb things that Jenna Elfman does in this movie -- send snotty voice mails to the judge and so forth -- just believe that there is a relationship between you and someone else, whether one of love or hate, and in FACT that other person doesn't even count you as a significant other. Elfman may be nuts, but in a lesser sense we all are, aren't we?
It's so EASY to look at the head of the cheerleading squad (or whatever it's called) or the captain of the football team in High School and misinterpret his glance, the momentary fixture of your gaze and the other's, as meaning something that it doesn't. Like the handwriting on the wall, some of these things are interpreted in the way that's most convenient for us.
That's what makes this above average, if we can only see it. Yes, Elfman is off her rocker (revealed only gradually, and nicely done too). But we're all off our rockers, if less so.
Speaking to you as your forensic anthropologist, and I know I'm not, and -- oh, won't you please sit down? It wouldn't be hard to reconstruct Jenna Elfman's face if her skull were found in the densely wooded area where most bodies are found. It's an unusual splanchnocranium. She has a sizable jaw, flaring zygomatic arches, and then the upper part of her face squeezes itself together into a narrower skull.
Superficially she has close-set eyes that are narrow. Her lips are narrow too (and very expressive). It would be more accurate to say, about her body, that every once of fat is properly distributed, rather than that there is no ounce of fat at all. She's beautiful, and she has a tall dancer's body. (She taught Paco how to dance near the beginning of "Serpico.")
Doctor Stillman is a stereotype. A nice famous Jewish doctor, the kind of guy with a face as interesting as a hard-boiled egg, who will obey orders at home and do what he's told, when he's not out making himself famous or raking in mountains of shekels.
Jenna Elfman thinks they had an affair, when evidently they didn't. (I'm not sure I believe that. Stillman may be a schmuck, but Elfman's legs are each 5 feet long.) She develops a case of "erotomania," which is made to sound like something that only a total basket case would suffer from. It's the "delusion," which is a technical term for a belief that flies into the face of all evidence to the contrary, that a famous person, such as a renowned neurosurgeon, is in love with you.
Put it another way though. Don't do the dumb things that Jenna Elfman does in this movie -- send snotty voice mails to the judge and so forth -- just believe that there is a relationship between you and someone else, whether one of love or hate, and in FACT that other person doesn't even count you as a significant other. Elfman may be nuts, but in a lesser sense we all are, aren't we?
It's so EASY to look at the head of the cheerleading squad (or whatever it's called) or the captain of the football team in High School and misinterpret his glance, the momentary fixture of your gaze and the other's, as meaning something that it doesn't. Like the handwriting on the wall, some of these things are interpreted in the way that's most convenient for us.
That's what makes this above average, if we can only see it. Yes, Elfman is off her rocker (revealed only gradually, and nicely done too). But we're all off our rockers, if less so.
Interesting Scheduling
Stoshie28 August 2020
As I write this, Lifetime is showing some of their older movies as part of their "30th Anniversary" celebration of their original movies. "Obsessed" was shown back-to-back with "Her Married Lover". Both movies were about women who claimed to have had affairs with married men, while the men denied the affairs. Both movies were told in a similar style, too. I don't want to say more, because I don't like reviews with spoilers.
Anyway, I thought that was a clever bit of scheduling.
As for this movie, it was serviceable; neither great nor terrible. Not one I would watch again, though; it wasn't done that well. It was OK, nothing more.
I don't understand all the praise given to Jenna Elfman by so many other reviewers here. Sure, she was good. But not outstanding. In fact, I felt she was held back, not allowed to let her true personality show through. It almost did a couple of times, but then she was reverted back to being more like a dozen actors that could have played her role. She has been so, so much better in other things where she was allowed to show her sparkling personality shine. At first I though this might have been one of her earlier roles, and she hadn't learned to show herself as she is fully yet. But she had been in a lot of TV shows and movies before this. So I can only assume the director tamped her down a bit for this role. That's a shame; she is so very good when she lets her personality show.
Anyway, I thought that was a clever bit of scheduling.
As for this movie, it was serviceable; neither great nor terrible. Not one I would watch again, though; it wasn't done that well. It was OK, nothing more.
I don't understand all the praise given to Jenna Elfman by so many other reviewers here. Sure, she was good. But not outstanding. In fact, I felt she was held back, not allowed to let her true personality show through. It almost did a couple of times, but then she was reverted back to being more like a dozen actors that could have played her role. She has been so, so much better in other things where she was allowed to show her sparkling personality shine. At first I though this might have been one of her earlier roles, and she hadn't learned to show herself as she is fully yet. But she had been in a lot of TV shows and movies before this. So I can only assume the director tamped her down a bit for this role. That's a shame; she is so very good when she lets her personality show.
Good story, good suspense.
iamronr3 August 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Why only 127 votes on IMDb? I cannot understand this, for what I thought was a very good movie. Perhaps IMDb could encourage members to vote more often as too few and the total vote is rather meaningless.
It may have been originally made for TV but it is freely available from video shops on DVD, so a lot of people must have seen Obsessed.
The story & suspense was great, and Jenna Elfman beautiful, an excellent actress and just right for the part as the lover. It is cleverly directed as the story changes one hundred percent to the (slightly predictable) ending. The main criticism is to how the doctor was able to resist the advances of the sexy girl. Most men couldn't !
It was such a sad ending when Jenna's mind was shown to be so sick, and instead of being put into a mental home was imprisoned for two years.
It may have been originally made for TV but it is freely available from video shops on DVD, so a lot of people must have seen Obsessed.
The story & suspense was great, and Jenna Elfman beautiful, an excellent actress and just right for the part as the lover. It is cleverly directed as the story changes one hundred percent to the (slightly predictable) ending. The main criticism is to how the doctor was able to resist the advances of the sexy girl. Most men couldn't !
It was such a sad ending when Jenna's mind was shown to be so sick, and instead of being put into a mental home was imprisoned for two years.
I'm not supposed to like this kind of stuff, but I LOVED this movie!
readerguy4 February 2011
I'm a 60+ old retired dude who's into sports, CSI, Law & Order, Bones, Bourne movies, etc. God knows, I'd NEVER watch a Lifetime Movie Network program! That's a "ladies' network," right? But I just happened to turn on this program and found it totally engrossing and entertaining. The twists and turns in the story surprised and captivated me. Until near the end, I never knew where this very interesting plot would unfold. The writing on this show is A+. Jenna Elfman (who I'd only seen as Dharma) was far more talented (and sexy) than I'd realized. She was totally believable in all aspects of her character(s). Kate Burton as her attorney was superb as was Sam Robards who played her "lover," Dr. Stillman. This movie was a real surprise treat. Guess I'm a new Lifetime fan, and I may even start tuning into Glee. :-)
Elfman is good....
MarieGabrielle4 February 2007
even if you are not a major fan, she actually delivers in this suspense/psychodrama, which was based on a true story.
She basically portrays a sales rep who encounters a neurosurgeon, (portrayed by Sam Robards) and has occasion to date him. Look for a very good cameo role with Lisa Edelstein ("House, M.D.") as Elfman's friend/alter ego.
The situation escalates as Elfman becomes obsessed with Dr. Stillman (Robards). The setting is in Chicago, and several of the scenes are well done, especially considering this is a made for TV movie.
If you are a fan of Elfman, she was also very good in the film paired with Kellie Martin, and Patti LuPone, regarding addiction.
She basically portrays a sales rep who encounters a neurosurgeon, (portrayed by Sam Robards) and has occasion to date him. Look for a very good cameo role with Lisa Edelstein ("House, M.D.") as Elfman's friend/alter ego.
The situation escalates as Elfman becomes obsessed with Dr. Stillman (Robards). The setting is in Chicago, and several of the scenes are well done, especially considering this is a made for TV movie.
If you are a fan of Elfman, she was also very good in the film paired with Kellie Martin, and Patti LuPone, regarding addiction.
Another view of the talented Jenna Elfman.
tschimk2 March 2003
What a tantalizing look at the talent of Jenna Elfman. She moves with ease from trait to trait of a multiple-personality character. The young lady's performance certainly surprised and delighted me. Anyone accustomed to Jenna's comedic roles needs to get out of the box to truly appreciate this offering. She has serious acting skills!!!
Kate Burton presents an intriguing view of an Attorney whose feelings for her client range from compassion to exasperation. While about it, she also provides the lighter moments of the movie. The bedroom scene and computer moment are hilarious.
This is a nicely paced, character-oriented drama that makes for an entertaining evening of television.
Kate Burton presents an intriguing view of an Attorney whose feelings for her client range from compassion to exasperation. While about it, she also provides the lighter moments of the movie. The bedroom scene and computer moment are hilarious.
This is a nicely paced, character-oriented drama that makes for an entertaining evening of television.
Jenna
aboutagirly29 May 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Recap: Ellena Roberts is arrested but insists that everything must be a misunderstanding. She had an affair with a successful surgeon and got a little over-zealous when he broke it off. At least that is her story. The surgeon, David Stillman, has a completely different story. He claims Ellena harasses him and his family and that the affair never took place. Lawyer Sara Miller offers to represent Ellena and finds her in the unenviable position to decide what is the truth, Ellena's version or David's.
Comments: Often when you see a made for television movie you dismiss it before you even see it. Sometimes that is a mistake, and so it is in this case. This was a very interesting and intriguing movie that kept me alert the entire time. What is most interesting that the movie actually seems unbiased. Often enough the movie chooses side for the audience, we are clearly shown who is the good guy to root for and who is the bad guy to loathe and fight against. For once, this movie lets both parties, literally in a court, present their cases. And both stories make sense. At least initially there is precious little that indicates whom to believe. Which is interesting because in real life, in real court, this must be a common situation. There are two versions, both mutually exclusive, and you must decide which one is the truth. And in this movie you get to see which one, but it is not presented right away so it is an interesting tale to see.
It is a good cast, even if few of them is famous. But Jenna Elfman do deserve an extra mention because her role could not be easy to do, and she pulls it off spectacularly.
This movie is much better than expected, well worth to rent if you wish to see something else than a fast paced action. Do not dismiss it beforehand.
Comments: Often when you see a made for television movie you dismiss it before you even see it. Sometimes that is a mistake, and so it is in this case. This was a very interesting and intriguing movie that kept me alert the entire time. What is most interesting that the movie actually seems unbiased. Often enough the movie chooses side for the audience, we are clearly shown who is the good guy to root for and who is the bad guy to loathe and fight against. For once, this movie lets both parties, literally in a court, present their cases. And both stories make sense. At least initially there is precious little that indicates whom to believe. Which is interesting because in real life, in real court, this must be a common situation. There are two versions, both mutually exclusive, and you must decide which one is the truth. And in this movie you get to see which one, but it is not presented right away so it is an interesting tale to see.
It is a good cast, even if few of them is famous. But Jenna Elfman do deserve an extra mention because her role could not be easy to do, and she pulls it off spectacularly.
This movie is much better than expected, well worth to rent if you wish to see something else than a fast paced action. Do not dismiss it beforehand.
What are the Lyrics?
mary_jane7200328 February 2006
What were the lyric in this Movie. Or is there a Sound Track for this movie. Please get back to me at address above.I was really impressed with this movie. She was a crazy lady. She could hear someone talking to her and it was all in her head. Scary!!! I hope I never happens to me. The guy shouldn't have mess with her in the first place. You never know how a person you meet will turn out. Her Obsesstion went to far. I felt for the wife in this whole movie. Most of I liked when she was in the shower and they were playing this song I am looking for . And then the police came and arrested her for stocking the guy.How that is where it all began.
I am a big Jenna Elfman fan!
dharma5628 October 2002
I believe the movie Obsessed is a great movie. One of my favorite movie starring Jenna Elfman. I beleive if you are a big fan of Jenna Elfman this is a movie to see. :) I saw Jenna in a new light and she did a great job.
Classic!
BreanneB26 June 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this movie again on d.v.d and I have to say I don't know what I was thinking when I said I didn't like it. I now see things in it that I didn't see before. Things such as, romance, sexy things, legal stuff, etc, The following things were great, acting, costumes, production, photography, directing, script and music. Jenna Elfman especially did a great job as Eleena Roberts. Ellena Roberts was an unstable, self-centered, spoiled rotten brat , who did whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted, without any regard for the happiness, safety, welfare, and privacy of others. I knew right from the very start that she was guilty.
She did annoying, stupid, and weird things. These things included, having tea with the district attorney's wife, leaving weird messages on the judge's answering machine, flirting with the prison doctor, and showed up numerous times at the doctor's home, and his conferences, and harassed his family. She also followed them around, wrote them letters, made numerous phone calls a day. She has all the signs of erotomania. This movie is based on a true story. I wonder what ever happened to the real woman.
She did annoying, stupid, and weird things. These things included, having tea with the district attorney's wife, leaving weird messages on the judge's answering machine, flirting with the prison doctor, and showed up numerous times at the doctor's home, and his conferences, and harassed his family. She also followed them around, wrote them letters, made numerous phone calls a day. She has all the signs of erotomania. This movie is based on a true story. I wonder what ever happened to the real woman.
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