Possession (2002)
Imagine seeing Emma Woodhouse, Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Knightley, and Edward Rochester all in the same movie! If that appeals to you, you’ve got to rent Possession. The characters themselves aren’t in the movie, but Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeremy Northam, Jennifer Ehle, and Toby Stephens are the leads. Sorry Aaron Eckhart, but we don’t associate you with a period-piece epic.
Aaron is a visiting American in London for a researching position, and during a week-long tribute to a famous poet’s work, he discovers some handwritten letters that could change history. The famous poet has been remembered as a devoted husband, but the letters are addressed to another woman, someone documented by history to have been a feminist lesbian! As Aaron and Gwyneth try to follow the letters’ trail to find out more about the mystery, we’re treated to flashbacks (cue Jeremy and Jennifer) about what really happened. The alternating past and present style reminded me so much of The French Lieutenant’s Woman, and Jennifer Ehle looked so much like Meryl Streep; she even had curly red hair and the same Victorian cape! If you liked that movie, you’ll love this one.
I liked the realism between Gwyneth and Aaron’s romance. They’ve both been hurt in the past and have their walls up, so just like their historical counterparts (but in a different way) they have obstacles. With a different cast, this movie would still be good, but it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun. It’s just adorable to see Jeremy Northam in his Jane Austen period clothes, paired with another Jane Austen heroine and being “investigated” by his former Jane Austen costar. It’s absolutely hilarious to hear Toby Stephens slip in an “old sport” into casual conversation, reminding folks at home that he’s got two classic literary heroes to his name. If you’re into classic literature at all, you’ve got to rent this one.
More Gwyneth Paltrow movies here!
Aaron is a visiting American in London for a researching position, and during a week-long tribute to a famous poet’s work, he discovers some handwritten letters that could change history. The famous poet has been remembered as a devoted husband, but the letters are addressed to another woman, someone documented by history to have been a feminist lesbian! As Aaron and Gwyneth try to follow the letters’ trail to find out more about the mystery, we’re treated to flashbacks (cue Jeremy and Jennifer) about what really happened. The alternating past and present style reminded me so much of The French Lieutenant’s Woman, and Jennifer Ehle looked so much like Meryl Streep; she even had curly red hair and the same Victorian cape! If you liked that movie, you’ll love this one.
I liked the realism between Gwyneth and Aaron’s romance. They’ve both been hurt in the past and have their walls up, so just like their historical counterparts (but in a different way) they have obstacles. With a different cast, this movie would still be good, but it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun. It’s just adorable to see Jeremy Northam in his Jane Austen period clothes, paired with another Jane Austen heroine and being “investigated” by his former Jane Austen costar. It’s absolutely hilarious to hear Toby Stephens slip in an “old sport” into casual conversation, reminding folks at home that he’s got two classic literary heroes to his name. If you’re into classic literature at all, you’ve got to rent this one.
More Gwyneth Paltrow movies here!