I understand that some of you hate this movie, and that's fair. I beg you to reconsider your "baaaadd actinggggggg!!!" Comments. A film that isn't up to par with viewers expectations shouldn't be blamed on acting alone. You can surely blame writers and directors too for poor execution by the actors. If someone gave you a trash bag to wear, how could you expect to win a fashion show? Point being, Mekhi can act. Period. Stop blaming actors when it's convenient. Mekhi was the glue that kept this slow moving movie worth while.
40 Reviews
DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING
flyhighblue26 August 2021
Not that bad
windsorenquirer30 September 2019
Stick Around for the Ending
BritneyPWrites7 January 2020
The majority of this movie is, in my opinion, average. The premise is as old as the farm equipment occupying the setting, and Brad Dourif as the kindly older man who takes to Mekhi Phifer's character, Sonny, after Sonny rescues him from a robbery is the only real bright spot. As a longtime fan of Dourif's work, it's always refreshing and gratifying to see him play a warm(er) character instead of a serial killer, wily racist, or out-of-this-world weirdo -- not to take anything away from his portrayal of said archetypes, lol. He really does deserve better offers -- the man is a Golden Globe winner/Oscar nominee/Emmy nominee, for Pete's sake.
Mekhi Phifer, who is usually a fine actor, doesn't fare all that well here with the subpar material. There's so little chemistry between him and Elika Portnoy -- who delivers a sleepy and largely ineffectual performance as the stock "hot wife" character -- that their (ample) sex scenes quickly become uncomfortable to watch. We're supposed care about and root for them, but there's nothing there to get invested in, which is a death knell for stories like this. The cashier, who delivers but a single line to Larissa, gives the second-best performance in the film. That should tell you everything.
Well, almost everything.
The tiny twist 3/4 of the way through is mildly piquing, as is the big twist at the end. To be honest, I was genuinely taken aback and pleased, from a darkly humorous point of view, about where we ended up and why.
The film is such a mixed bag, I don't know if I can safely recommend it or not. It's only 90 minutes, but many of those minutes are not terribly enjoyable. Still, Brad Dourif and the ending make this a touch above average for me -- a 5.5/10. Yet I'm only rating it a 5 overall because it IS a painful slog to get through the middle to get to the halfway decent ending.
Mekhi Phifer, who is usually a fine actor, doesn't fare all that well here with the subpar material. There's so little chemistry between him and Elika Portnoy -- who delivers a sleepy and largely ineffectual performance as the stock "hot wife" character -- that their (ample) sex scenes quickly become uncomfortable to watch. We're supposed care about and root for them, but there's nothing there to get invested in, which is a death knell for stories like this. The cashier, who delivers but a single line to Larissa, gives the second-best performance in the film. That should tell you everything.
Well, almost everything.
The tiny twist 3/4 of the way through is mildly piquing, as is the big twist at the end. To be honest, I was genuinely taken aback and pleased, from a darkly humorous point of view, about where we ended up and why.
The film is such a mixed bag, I don't know if I can safely recommend it or not. It's only 90 minutes, but many of those minutes are not terribly enjoyable. Still, Brad Dourif and the ending make this a touch above average for me -- a 5.5/10. Yet I'm only rating it a 5 overall because it IS a painful slog to get through the middle to get to the halfway decent ending.
Below average.
deloudelouvain18 October 2019
I wished I liked it more but unfortunately Obsession isn't that big of a deal. The first half is slow and pretty boring but you keep watching it in the hope it gets better. But it's the exact opposite that happened for the second half. The story gets ridiculous, just like they had no time enough to develop the story correctly. The crime solving scenes are just laughable, I guess we have a new Sherlock Holmes that can figure out the whole thing by watching the crime scene for one second. The acting is also below average. The only good thing about Obsession is the end that I didn't see coming but for that I had to endure the rest of this boring movie.
Pretty Good Ending but.....,
EmmeCHammer4 January 2020
I watched with nothing else on, but I try to watch everything I mean everything, sometimes I find a hidden diamond and sometimes I find a rock and sometimes I find nothing. This one isn't completely bad but the acting is suspect, I watched in standard not HD and I knew I knew the lead actor Phifer but he looked old and fat so I didn't recognize him at first, he was alright but the others not so much. Very predictable but most B movies are the ending not bad didn't see that coming so it was a pleasant surprise even though I had to sit the whole movie. It wasn't a painful wait, like i said nothing else was on so I found a rock not a diamond but a rock, rough around the edges not shiny in color but I found something??
I thought it was pretty good
mistela6710 August 2020
Not understanding the poor reviews. I thought it was pretty good. The acting was good, in my opinion. I thought the Russian woman was attractive, and both the males played their roles decently. The movie kept me going, and the ending threw me off. I also thought the police officers played their roles very realistically.
My only complaint was that the motivations of the characters (both the boyfriend and, at the end, the woman) to do what they did wasn't really established enough. But still, the plot was good enough to keep you interested.
All in all, it was an enjoyable movie, if you keep your expectations in check. Not nearly as bad as some of the reviewers state here.
My only complaint was that the motivations of the characters (both the boyfriend and, at the end, the woman) to do what they did wasn't really established enough. But still, the plot was good enough to keep you interested.
All in all, it was an enjoyable movie, if you keep your expectations in check. Not nearly as bad as some of the reviewers state here.
The Mechanic Always Rings Twice
evening18 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This movie clearly cribs from the classic 1934 crime novel by James M. Cain.
Here we have the story of Sonny (Mekhi Phifer), a car mechanic who gets a job in the garage of wealthy George (Brad Dourif) -- only to seduce the boss's sexy wife Larissa (Elika Portnoy) and set up the old man's demise.
I had a problem with the movie's script, which seemed too simplistically written. George's dialogue in particular often sounded like baby talk.
Aside from the Cliff Notes version of "Postman" that's dished up here, there's little else to this film other than its stupefyingly surprising ending. It seems the director copes with this lack by punctuating the plotline with gratuitous sex scenes.
Add this production to the genre of "looks-are-deceptive' films. Admittedly, that's a truth that bears repeating.
Here we have the story of Sonny (Mekhi Phifer), a car mechanic who gets a job in the garage of wealthy George (Brad Dourif) -- only to seduce the boss's sexy wife Larissa (Elika Portnoy) and set up the old man's demise.
I had a problem with the movie's script, which seemed too simplistically written. George's dialogue in particular often sounded like baby talk.
Aside from the Cliff Notes version of "Postman" that's dished up here, there's little else to this film other than its stupefyingly surprising ending. It seems the director copes with this lack by punctuating the plotline with gratuitous sex scenes.
Add this production to the genre of "looks-are-deceptive' films. Admittedly, that's a truth that bears repeating.
"You Can't Play a Playa"
jeremynailing21 March 2021
Garbage
ferdmalenfant28 September 2019
The Ending will shock you!
sydneyjayz2 October 2021
I watched this movie because Mekhi Phifer, who is one of my favorite Actors, stars. This movie will truly make you think about a lot of things in relationships and how people can so easily be lied to and get played. The low ratings given for this movie are not justified. Trust me when I tell you, it's worth-a-watch!
Muhdi Ahmed vand
muqdadjalal26 May 2021
Terrible!
jaywes-5108630 September 2019
not good
watcher201910 January 2020
Terrible acting not very attractive people
jamesjimmy-4076715 March 2020
Terrible terrible acting stupid story boring I can't believe anybody would give any kind of positive review for this unless they were in the movie!. the only reason I watched it because Brad Douriff but he was off awful in this movie. Eugenie so-called sexy movies they have a handsome couple these two leads were average looking at best. can't act, don't look good, and terrible script!
An old John D. MacDonald/Travis McGee plot?
snowshoe2216 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The MO of this story -- a killing committed with a chain hoist and being solved with forensics -- is nearly identical to one used in an old Travis McGee series novel by John D. MacDonald: "Pale Gray for Guilt."
But then Obsession is a typical Double Indemnity-style, love-triangle murder movie. And not a particularly convincing one. Also, the twist at the end where an incidental first-act character turns out to be a co-conspirator is reminiscent of many other stories.
Obsession's femme fatale is so steamy that she gets by without much acting skill. In contrast, Kathleen Turner in Body Heat delivered both so well that she became a star overnight. For that matter, with Obsession set outside New Orleans, it's remarkable that director didn't take more advantage of the heat-humidity-sweat motif. And the detective's hat and mannerisms seem quite similar to those of the cop played by J.A. Preston in Body Heat.
But then Obsession is a typical Double Indemnity-style, love-triangle murder movie. And not a particularly convincing one. Also, the twist at the end where an incidental first-act character turns out to be a co-conspirator is reminiscent of many other stories.
Obsession's femme fatale is so steamy that she gets by without much acting skill. In contrast, Kathleen Turner in Body Heat delivered both so well that she became a star overnight. For that matter, with Obsession set outside New Orleans, it's remarkable that director didn't take more advantage of the heat-humidity-sweat motif. And the detective's hat and mannerisms seem quite similar to those of the cop played by J.A. Preston in Body Heat.
Love hurts
kosmasp16 June 2022
I like to start with a pun. Obviously if you have seen this, you'll know what I am talking about. In more than one sense of course - actually this should count as the pun that keeps on punning (can this be considered as a pun too?).
Anyway, this may be the best thing delivers to you. But I'll let you decide, the movie overall being very predictable. Even the twists, because ... well maybe I have seen too many thrillers, but I knew ... I just knew. I wouldn't say the big twist makes too much sense all things considered, because it is built on trusting something to happen ... but just suspend your disbelief and take this with a grain of salt.
Anyway, this may be the best thing delivers to you. But I'll let you decide, the movie overall being very predictable. Even the twists, because ... well maybe I have seen too many thrillers, but I knew ... I just knew. I wouldn't say the big twist makes too much sense all things considered, because it is built on trusting something to happen ... but just suspend your disbelief and take this with a grain of salt.
Who's Grace Kelly?
nogodnomasters6 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
George Good (Brad Dourif) of "Good Farm Repairs" gets mugged in the city, but is saved by Sonny Jordan (Mekhi Phifer ). George has a young Russian wife (Elika Portnoy ) many years his junior. As a reward, he invites "Mandingo" home with him to work at his farm. We already know what happens from the opening teaser.
This has all the quality of a bad made-for-TV film. Predictable with sad dialogue.
Guide: No swearing No nudity, implied sex. a grope scene.
This has all the quality of a bad made-for-TV film. Predictable with sad dialogue.
Guide: No swearing No nudity, implied sex. a grope scene.
... some choices may be looking a bad-gamble, yet-pay-off
bjarias4 January 2023
... IMDb written-reviews go from "Best movie I have ever seen. 10 of 10 stars" .. all the way down to "Does it even deserve a 1? 1 of 10 stars" ... it's that kind of movie ... actually, it's not at all that bad a film, all things considered ... its weakest link being it is fairly stereotypical of the genre, yet in a much better than average way... all other parts hold up nicely, tied up at the ending with what few would have seen coming, and a portion probably are annoyed with
... this might be one of those films you began watching not really knowing why.. thinking you might be wasting your time... but come away from the ending, you are not that unhappy about your decision.
... this might be one of those films you began watching not really knowing why.. thinking you might be wasting your time... but come away from the ending, you are not that unhappy about your decision.
Didn't see that coming!
Mehki_Girl11 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I didn't see the twist coming at all.
Actually, I thought there would be one last shot of her holding a white baby with a smile on her face.
She was a Russian bride. A lot of times these woman are actually already in a relationship and the husband/boyfriend is back home waiting for the ripoof and cash.
The fact that they made it clear she was a mail-order bride, should have be a heads up. I missed that one
Either way, mister Good was doomed.
The movie wasn't good but held my interest.
Actually, I thought there would be one last shot of her holding a white baby with a smile on her face.
She was a Russian bride. A lot of times these woman are actually already in a relationship and the husband/boyfriend is back home waiting for the ripoof and cash.
The fact that they made it clear she was a mail-order bride, should have be a heads up. I missed that one
Either way, mister Good was doomed.
The movie wasn't good but held my interest.
Shades of The Postman
lavatch11 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
"Obsession" owes a legacy to "The Postman Always Rings Twice," one of the classics of film noir. In the case of this new film, the title might be revised to "The Lever Always Drops Twice."
The kind George Good is saved by the drifter Sonny Jordan during a mugging. George subsequently hires Sonny as a mechanic in his auto repair shop. Sonny falls for George's wife Larissa, and the couple devises a ghoulish plan to knock off George, who is developing a magnificent auto theme park that could potentially be worth millions.
In the "accident" that takes place, the lever controlled by Larissa dropped the vehicle on George while he was under the car. But it didn't kill George and she had to raise the car and drop the lever a second time. This fatal mistake was all the savvy detective needed to raise suspicions about Sonny and Larissa as collaborating to kill the nice old man.
While the narrative was routine and even somewhat predictable, the performances were first-rate. There was solid chemistry between Sonny and Larissa. The plot twist at the end was well deployed and successful in the turning the film into another film noir offering with a classic example of the femme fatale.
The kind George Good is saved by the drifter Sonny Jordan during a mugging. George subsequently hires Sonny as a mechanic in his auto repair shop. Sonny falls for George's wife Larissa, and the couple devises a ghoulish plan to knock off George, who is developing a magnificent auto theme park that could potentially be worth millions.
In the "accident" that takes place, the lever controlled by Larissa dropped the vehicle on George while he was under the car. But it didn't kill George and she had to raise the car and drop the lever a second time. This fatal mistake was all the savvy detective needed to raise suspicions about Sonny and Larissa as collaborating to kill the nice old man.
While the narrative was routine and even somewhat predictable, the performances were first-rate. There was solid chemistry between Sonny and Larissa. The plot twist at the end was well deployed and successful in the turning the film into another film noir offering with a classic example of the femme fatale.
Film Noir on the Farm
haywoodlois14 March 2020
This movie might hold your interest in spite of several plot holes.
I'll start this review off on a positive note:
I watched it because Brad Dourif is in it & indeed he is the best part of this movie
He's quite believable as a hayseed elderly mechanic/farmer who has a lot of bucks in the bank.
Now for the rest of the review:
If you're having an affair with someone it is highly recommended that you have intercourse immediately after your spouse leaves the room and is nearby.
And don't forget to have lots of it scene after scene; that you can titillate your audience & lovers can enjoy this movie.
If you're going to fall for the boss's wife you might want to consider someone attractive.
If you're going to produce a movie with a "twist" ending it should be readily identifiable after the second scene.
I actually did enjoy watching the movie even though it is basically "Body Heat" on the farm.
I'll start this review off on a positive note:
I watched it because Brad Dourif is in it & indeed he is the best part of this movie
He's quite believable as a hayseed elderly mechanic/farmer who has a lot of bucks in the bank.
Now for the rest of the review:
If you're having an affair with someone it is highly recommended that you have intercourse immediately after your spouse leaves the room and is nearby.
And don't forget to have lots of it scene after scene; that you can titillate your audience & lovers can enjoy this movie.
If you're going to fall for the boss's wife you might want to consider someone attractive.
If you're going to produce a movie with a "twist" ending it should be readily identifiable after the second scene.
I actually did enjoy watching the movie even though it is basically "Body Heat" on the farm.
Awful
cordelialeite12 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The movie is boring, the story is terrible, the characters difficult to like...I skipped most of the movie just to see how this thing would end...the final part is horrible too. In real life is not uncommon to evil triumph over good...Sonny paid for his crime and that's great. But how about Larissa walking free? I'm truly disgusted. The main character saves that man's life just to take it away later. George gave him a job (that Sonny really needed), food, a place to stay...and was still killed! How about one more production in which russians are portrayed as evil and criminals? Maybe there are movies out there in which they are good people? I hope I'm mistaken because if I'm not, if in most of the films russians are villains than of course this is racism. It's not only immoral but it gets boring!
Does it even deserve a 1?
fsaelee863 January 2022
I don't write a lot of reviews. A place, experience, or movie has to be extremely terrible or extremely memorable for me to even put my 2 cents out in the world of interwebs. Had to do it for this one. How has Mekhi fallen so far in the world of acting to end up in such a poorly written, extremely low budget film? He must have burned some bridges. Who in their right mind thought, hey let's hire Elika Portnoy cuz she was the best audition we had. If she was the best they had then the movie was doomed before filming. The script was so so so bad, every scene was predictable. I won't even call them actors. All those 10 stars are either bots or people who truly don't know what a decent movie looks like.
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