I’ve been acting since I was a small child. Plays, skits, musicals, small film projects were all scattered throughout my life. Some of my performances I’m proud of, others while overwhelm me with shame to even think about because they were so bad.
As an actor I’m always watching other actors intently, with hopes to learn. There are many that have moved me. Only a sparse few have stuck with me, eating away at the little corners of my mind forever.
Isabelle Adjani’s performance in Possession is one of those. I’m not referring to just any scene in this film. There is one in particular that takes it over the edge. It is the stuff of nightmares. It’s not cool, or creepy, or gross, or any other stupid adjective given to many modern day horror films. No. This scene grips you with icy cold fingers. It blows dead air upon the back of your neck, tickles your insides with foreboding.
Watch the film and you don’t even have to ask me to which scene I’m referring.
The film itself is a grotesque sort of psychological thriller. Something that seems to dip from reality to fantasy and back again until you lose your ability to tell which one is which.
While I don’t love the film altogether (too gratuitously grotesque for my taste), its disturbingly over-the-top story is incredibly well executed from every drab set, to every hollow sound, to every word uttered by the fabulous cast.
Isabelle Adjani is said to have been so effected by her role as Anna that she swore to never take another like it again.
If that doesn’t give a terrifying little taste I don’t know what will.
P.S. I must emphasize again that this film is not for the faint at heart. I cannot necessarily recommend it to anyone. Parents beware, youngsters look out, and everyone just remember that I warned you!
Image via Possession, directed by Andrzej Żuławski