Obsession
Obsession

Obsession

1949Movie96 minEnglish

A British psychiatrist devises a devilish revenge plot against his wife's lover.

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Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Director: Edward DmytrykGenres: Film-Noir, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

A war veteran suffering from amnesia becomes entangled with a femme fatale and her seemingly ailing husband. As his memory slowly returns, he realizes he's caught in a web of deceit, manipulation, and potentially murder, questioning his own sanity and identity. The situation escalates as his past actions and the husband's true motives come to light, leading to a dramatic confrontation.

Critical Reception

Obsession, also known as "The Big Steal" (though this is a different film), is a lesser-known but critically appreciated noir that leverages its psychological elements and suspenseful narrative. While not as iconic as some of Dmytryk's other works, it is recognized for its complex plotting and strong performances, particularly from Robert Mitchum.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praiseworthy for its atmospheric tension and noir sensibilities.
  • The film effectively explores themes of identity and manipulation.
  • Considered a solid, albeit somewhat overshadowed, entry in the film noir genre.

Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this specific 1949 film is not readily available.

Fun Fact

The film was initially released as 'The Man on the Train' and later re-edited and retitled 'Obsession' to capitalize on the popularity of films with similar themes.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

This is probably the best straight-part effort from Robert Newton I've ever seen. He is super as the doctor "Riorden" who has had just about enough of his wife's infidelities so decides to rid himself of her latest flame "Bill" (Phil Brown)...
John Chard

John Chard

Man's Best Friend. Obsession (AKA: The Hidden Room) is directed by Edward Dmytryk and adapted to screenplay by Alec Coppel from his own book and play. It stars Robert Newton, Phil Brown, Sally Gray and Naunton Wayne. Music is by Nino Ro...