Possession (1981) review

One of the 'great, mad movies' - like Russell's The Devils and Makavejev's Sweet Movie - about the disillusion of a romantic relationship and ensuing jealousy that also happens to be a deeply personal (and symbolic) work for director Żuławski, who processes his own personal rage into one-of-a-kind cinematic rage (provoked by his own marital problems and battles with the Polish government). A rating is difficult to assess because this particular film refuses to play by any set of rules or even attempt to take its audience on a straightforward voyage - Sam Neill and Isabelle Adjani battle with each other and with themselves (Neill rocks in a chair like a schizophrenic, Adjani slashes at herself with knives and struggles to control her own mind), engage in incoherent conversations not meant to be understood (it's as if they start in the middle of the scene) and eventually destroy and 'rebuild' each other (notice how there are 'light' and 'dark' versions of each character). The 'monster' generated by the feuding at first seems ridiculous but then develops into something unexpected and integral to the picture's message - the special effects hold up even today (it helps that the shots of the creature are partially in darkness). So many movies claim to be about mental breakdowns and insanity but few - if any - have the gumption and courage to go quite this far (the scene with Adjani in the subway is a perfect example: it's silly at first - the way the mad appear to be - but keeps going past the breaking point only to develop into something both remarkable and disgusting); in its own unparalleled way, it's a masterpiece.