SECRET OBSESSION
US, 2019, 97 minutes, Colour.
Brenda Song, Mike Vogel, Dennis Hayesbert, Ashley Scott, Paul Sloan, Daniel Booko.
Directed by Peter Sullivan.
While the development of this thriller has its twists, in fact, the title does give it away!
This is the story of an artist, her life, a night attack in a parking area, her being taken to hospital, amnesia. And then her devoted husband turns up and stays with her during her recovery, telling her the story of their marriage, providing photos, ever devoted.
He seems too good to be true!
There is a surprising sequence when a stranger comes to the door, who had witnessed something in the carpark, and the husband then attacks him and kills him, burying him in the garden.
The husband then becomes more and more paranoid – and the screenplay provides explanations of what it happened, his working in the same office as the young woman, her engagement and wedding, his obsession and jealousy, unable to approach her. But, then concocting the whole plot, killing the husband and the parents, changing the photos, taking over the mansion house is it for his… But, finally, is terrorising the young woman.
There is a very sympathetic detective played by Denis Hayesbert who pursues the investigation but almost becomes the victim of the obsessive man. But, this is an entertainment and so it ultimately turns out well.
Entertaining of its kind.
- Expectations of the thriller? The mystery, the woman and her being attacked, hospital, amnesia? The husband? The detective? Loving behaviour, erratic behaviour, the murder of the man outside the house?… The obsession?
- Northern California, the beauty of the mountain countryside, the town of the sheriff’s office, hospital, the mansion and interiors, grounds? Musical score?
- Introducing the theme, Jennifer, in the car park, the threats, the bewilderment, the car, the crash? Waking up in hospital? Russell, his arrival, with the nurse, intruding, at the bedside, staying with Jennifer during her recovery, bringing her home to the mansion, installing her in the mansion? Her loss of memory, glimpses? The photos, Russell and his stories, care, her believing him? Recovering, the walking stick, the house of life in the house?
- The detective, his own story, the death of the little girl, buying the toys? Working with his team? Interviews, Russell, the clues, investigations, the wrong address, finding the mansion? In the grounds, Russell hitting him, in the freezer, his escape, following Jennifer and Russell, the fight with Russell? The aftermath and his giving the toys to charity?
- Russell, his story, charming, the photos, his memories? The man loitering outside and his killing him, burying the body? The aggressive moments towards Jennifer, apologies? Locking her up, chaining her foot? Attacking the detective, putting him in the freezer? Jennifer loose, chasing her, the threats, her shooting him?
- The gradual revelation of the truth, Russell in the workplace, his temper, jealousy of the true Russell, the setup, killing the husband, the parents, the set up with Jennifer, towing the car, arriving at the hospital? The scenes of the past, Jennifer and her fiance, Russell observing? The obsession?
- Popular ingredients, audience expectations, satisfied?
