Possessed

Several doctors in this film speculate that Ms. Crawford's character might be suffering from mental illness. Are they right or wrong? This is a big question to be answered in "Possessed" because it seems that somebody here could be BERSERK and might even be a candidate for a STRAIGHTJACKET! I am a little disappointed that there isn't as much plot-based drama in this film as in MILDRED PIERCE. Mildred Pierce has drama consistently built into the plot whereas this film has a lot of Crawford engaging in dramatics and neuroses rather than more active drama. However this is a more psychologically oriented film (not a noir) and Crawford's acting is believable and solid. Raymond Massey does a good job in the Walter Pidgeon role (or is it Walter Pidgeon in the Raymond Massey role?) You also get a polished jewel of a performance by Stanley Ridges. Basically a soap opera with a well-done psychology theme, "Possessed" will probably hold your attention due to Crawford's excellent performance. This film is an impressive accomplishment for her.

"Possessed" is a landmark film in its presentation of a realistic (for 1947)mental breakdown and the causes for it. The film combines film noir with surrealism (watch the scene where Crawford's character waits for her stepdaughter!) and the quasi-documentary feel of the socially conscious films being made in the late 1940's about societal issues. Joan Crawford was never more beautiful in her late career nor as accomplished an actress as she is in "Possessed". The supporting players (Van Heflin, Raymond Massey, Geraldine Brooks, et al) are excellent. "Possessed" establishes Joan Crawford as one of the premier actresses in film. This is truly a film classic and deserves the critical attention that ranks it alongside the other great films of American cinema!

Although this is a classically executed Film-Noir, it is a slow-moving and ultimately disappointing film. Indeed, Joan Crawford has never been better. Van Heflin has a great role as the man she desires. The cinematography is more than perfect. However, the story of a woman slowly going insane is not well constructed and takes forever to get going. I gather that psychiatry was just beginning to be fully embraced by the public as a cause for criminal behavior, hence the "psychiatry for dummies" explanation of Joan's behavior during the story. The film finally comes alive near the end and gets more interesting after Joan gets more crazy. But everything ends in a thud when the resolution of the film is nothing more than the doctors agreeing she is crazy and that's what caused her to murder.

Possessed (1947) A taut, brilliant look at insanity coming out of obsessive love, and Joan Crawford plays it with enough perfection you wonder what kind of madness she had experienced herself first. (Ask her daughter, I suppose.) This kind of melodrama would easily topple into campy excess, or just incompetence, but there isn't a shred of silliness or overseriousness. It's convincing and dramatic in turns. Van Heflin plays a great, humorous, diffident type, not a cad, but a likable and unflappable libertine. The rest of the cast supports, the photography is first rate, music and plot and even the structure of all the flashbacks work quickly. It's an elegant film, a surprise, and something to see.

Possessed, the second of two films with that title made by Joan Crawford, is typical Forties soap opera and probably would be forgotten today if it weren't for Crawford's performance. As she runs through a whole gamut of emotions exponentially, you will be glued to your seat. A seemingly normal woman on the outside, Crawford's got a whole lot of issues. She's being dumped by younger boy friend Van Heflin and she won't call it a day. Heflin's professional association with Raymond Massey doesn't help matters. Crawford works as a nurse for Massey's invalid wife and when the wife dies, Crawford excepts Massey's marriage proposal. Joan is so conflicted here. By now she realizes Heflin is a no good love 'em and leave 'em rat, but she still pines for him. And jealousy is working here too, because Heflin has taken a shine to Massey's daughter Geraldine Brooks. It's an extraordinary job by Crawford. Rage, jealousy, unrequited love, she shows them all and at the same time. No wonder she got her second Oscar nomination. She lost however to Loretta Young in The Farmer's Daughter. Heflin is good, but if this had been made at 20th Century Fox, his role would have been perfect for Tyrone Power. What a classic Possessed would then have been.

This movie has nothing to do with the 1931 version that also Joan Crawford. It's more along the lines of The Snake Pit. It stars out with Joan Crawford walking the streets in a trance-like state and she keeps on repeating the name David. She's sent to the mental ward at the hospital and the movie goes in flashback to show how she ended up like this. The flashback stars with Joan Crawford wanting to marry Van Heflin but he just wants to break the relationship off. She never gets over it and goes to work as a nurse taking care of Raymond Massey's wife. Pretty soon, they find his wife's body in the lake but they don't know if it was an accident or suicide. Raymond Massey asks Crawford to marry him but she's still in love with Heflin, who is working with Massey. She agrees but Massey's daughter doesn't like her and she slowly stars to go insane. I guess this is one of the first movies that deals with mental illness.

Another coup for Joan Crawford, 1947's Possessed (Joan co-starred with Clark Gable in a 1938 film of the same name), sees the star in a great vehicle in which to show off her many dramatic talents. The hospital scenes are a bit over the top, and Stanley Ridges plays the psychiatric doctor a bit too eagerly. I half expected him to start wringing his hands with an Igor-type `yes, master – I think it's working, master' look on his face every time one of the drugs he gave Joan Crawford began taking effect. Ridges' performance is earnest, but his approach made me giggle more than once. What's good about the film is its insight into issues regarding mental illness and its compassionate, non-exploitative exploration of the subject matter. This is accomplished in spite of Ridges' misguided portrayal of Dr. Willard, and due in large part to Crawford's brave, unglamorous portrayal of patient Louise Graham. On the whole, Possessed is a very entertaining film that left me wanting to know what would happen next. I think the death of Dean Graham's first wife is rushed and a bit muddled. Her character should have been actually introduced (even in one brief scene) rather than merely heard or talked about in flashback. Instead, there is just a big jump right into the marriage of Dean and Louise. This lack of transition really annoys me, although I can't exactly pinpoint why – I guess the whole thing just feels rushed. Conveniently appearing and re-appearing on the scene is architect David Sutton, always around to throw Louise into a tizzy, as she cannot seem to get over the fact that he has broken off their relationship. It's difficult to understand David's appeal, as his character is extremely smarmy and smug, and he has no socially redeeming values whatsoever. To illustrate this, he shows up un-invited to Dean and Louise's wedding reception for the free food and drink. Ultimately, Dean's daughter Carol falls for him. Why, ladies?? If one can get past this implausible plot thread and take the story at face value, this is when the film really takes off, and Crawford's neurosis/psychosis picks up speed. The film improves greatly from here, and the plot advances nicely. CAST/PERFORMANCES: Joan Crawford (Louise Howell Graham) – Crawford's transformation from personally neurotic, yet mild, unobtrusive caregiver to scheming, paranoid, jealous, unstable woman scorned is fairly believable, given the plot. I adore her voice, and the circumstances of the script, her role, and therefore her dialog really allow Crawford to express herself well, and she is a treat to hear as well as watch, as usual. Raymond Massey (Dean Graham) – Massey is such a natural actor that I always adore his performances, and here is just wonderful. I love the scene where he dances with Crawford – watch as he forgets himself and sticks his tongue partway out with the effort of the dance. That, his quoting Bugs Bunny and his very tender, heartfelt scenes with Joan (his Dean Graham character is so sweet and patient) are a standout. I think it was a good casting choice to go with Massey, as his self-effacing nature is perfect for this role. Van Heflin (David Sutton) – Despite the character's flaws (a very difficult role to play), in the actor's capable hands, it is done well. In his inimitable style and voice inflection, Heflin has the best line in the film, which he delivers offhandedly while pacing the floor: `I'm sorry, Louise – I seldom hit a woman, but if you don't leave me alone, I'll wind up kicking babies.' Geraldine Brooks (Carol Graham) – a lovely actress, who I am sure I've seen in other films, as her name sounds familiar. She‘s very good as Carol, and gives a lively and strong performance as Massey's daughter. Her reaction to her mom's death and to Crawford's motives for marrying her father are very believable. A good cast, interesting plot, and decent execution make for a fine film noir.

Just what does Van Heflin's David have the makes Joan Crawford's Louise go literally mad for him? Doesn't appear to be that much in the looks department. Perhaps just that special touch that signals, "either you've got it or you haven't." Whatever the case, Louise pleads, cajoles, rants and raves for David the entire film. What does our David do?--merely tell Louise the truth: that he's simply not in love with her. Granted, David's rather flippant, self-absorbed and bored, but that's his prerogative. Instead of accepting this and moving on with her life, Louise insists on minding David's old business and clinging to bygone days. All this "to-do," when a simple scan of a Dale Carnegie text might have solved the problem. Louise does have her supporters: young stepdaughter Carol and aging hubbie Dean do what they can to bolster Louise's confidence. Since Geraldine Brooks and Raymond Massey portray these respective roles, there's sure to be strong convictions expressed. Made just two years after her Oscar-winning turn in "Mildred Pierce," Crawford is in her mature mettle here. Although the same title was used for a Crawford film 16 years earlier, the similarity is in name only. "Possessed" allows Joan to suffer royally and she does, pulling out all the schizophrenic stops to slam this one home. Since no one reels better than Crawford, it's an engaging performance in an engrossing film.

Never underestimate a woman in love. Such seems to be the message of "Possessed", a film that was obviously tailor made for its star, Joan Crawford. As directed by Curtis Bernhardt, this film will not bore the fans of the genre, or its star. If you haven't seen the film, maybe you should stop reading here. "Possessed" presents us Louise Howell, a nurse, for the ailing Mrs. Graham, a wealthy recluse. Louise's charge is a woman from hell. When this woman dies under mysterious circumstances, it appears to herald the end of Louise's employment. Prior to that, we see Louise during a tryst with a neighbor of the Grahams, David Sutton. They have had an affair and David decides to end it, much to Louise's chagrin. Dean Graham, the rich widower, asks Louise to stay after his wife's death. Will a marriage proposal be too far behind? Well, Dean proposes and Louise accepts. Her life is transformed from mediocrity into a life of luxury. The only sour point in Louise's new found happiness is Carol Graham, the daughter of the dead woman who blames Louise for the accident and death of her mother. Will Louise find happiness with Dean? Will David see how much Louise loves him and come back to her? Will Carol and Louise ever be friends? Those are the questions that will be answered in the movie, not by this observer. The film is involving, although having seen some of these melodramas prepares us for all possible answers. Joan Crawford does an impressive job as Louise. This woman gave the star one of her best characters ever. She goes through a range of emotions right before our eyes. Van Heflin, on the other hand, doesn't seem to have been the obvious choice for David, although he was an excellent actor, but in this movie doesn't have much to do. Raymond Massey, as Dean, is enormously appealing. He shows us a Dean who is a generous man. A young Geraldine Brooks makes a good impression as Carol the girl that is deprived of her mother at an early age. "Possessed" is a wonderful film. It will not disappoint the fans of this genre.

i love this movie. it's classic film-noir. the storyline is superb. all of the characters are compelling to watch. Joan Crawford truly does an excellent job in the role. there is a darkness in many of the scenes that adds to the feel of the movie;you feel as if you're right there on the scene. Joan's performance was academy-award worthy.the movie gives you the feel of the 1940's...the dress, the furniture, the cars; even the hospital-medical atmosphere and thinking of the times. the architecture of the homes and waterfront cabin speak of a time when things were built with detail, style, and authentic woods. the movie totally takes you back in time, and i know i can watch it again and again.this movie should always be kept available. as good a performance as Mildred pierce; in the film-noir aspect possessed exceeds Mildred pierce; for film-noir, story and acting it get,s a 10! you just have to believe that she eventually recovers from her illness and goes on happily married to that gem of a husband she had.