Monday, April 27, 2009

Movie review: Obsessed

By Shawn Parikh

Obsessed is everything you expect it to be and nothing more. From what you see in the trailer, you can decipher the entire movie and predict the outcome. But with all this obviousness, the flick is actually pretty entertaining and does leave you thrilled by the end of it, and that’s not just because of the Beyoncé-Ali Larter catfight.

The film begins with the couple, Sharon (Beyonce Knowles) and Derek Charles (Idris Elba), just three years after he has put a ring on it and they have moved into a new house with their baby boy. Derek has everything now: a gorgeous wife, a swanky job and office, and an adorable kid.

Things immediately start going awry when he goes into the work elevator and meets Lisa (Ali Larter) for the first time. With some subtle flirting and charm, wheels are already turning in her head and when she realizes she is a temp assigned to Derek, the wheels turn and turn until she is dangerously in love.

Lisa starts getting close to Derek and becoming a bug-a-boo, but he doesn’t see anything in it. Sharon finds out he has a female assistant, she starts getting jealous and goes to the office to check on it. She is having déjà vu since she used to work for Derek and that’s how they fell in love. By witnessing some of Lisa’s flirtation, Sharon tells Derek to get rid of her.

"How many times do I have to tell you??? Sasha Fierce doesn't live here."

When Lisa keeps temping for other people in the office, Derek tries hard to keep their relationship strictly professional. Lisa has other plans. She tries to seduce him at the office Christmas party by being a naughty girl, but Derek clearly pushes her away.

This is when she is now crazy in love and quits working at the office. She keeps following Derek around and even drugs him and attempts suicide. With so much drama, Sharon finally finds out and thinks Derek has been a beautiful liar causing marital problems. Lisa is a survivor and still has yet to get what she wants. Later, Sharon realizes the only way to get rid of Lisa is to do it herself all culminating in their fun battle at the end.

This movie works because the suspense is constantly there and the story flows with such ease. The script never bores as we see an interesting office relationship become gradually psychotic. Many of the scenes, such as the party and parking lot seduction, are actually exciting as to see how Derek will handle the situation, and you just wait for the confrontation between Lisa and Sharon. Plus, it was a thrilling change in story with Sharon representing strong independent women by becoming the heroine of the film.

"Is wearing your husband's shirt not part of my job requirement?"

Obsessed can only be as good as the villain, and Ali Larter nails the part of Lisa. When we first meet her, she subtly starts showing her dark shades and even her smile is ultimately creepy. You can see how she gradually starts to feel irreplaceable in Derek’s life and then she fully commits to the psycho character making the movie so entertaining. Although she has some serious issues, Larter still plays her character as if she has a halo around her head. You can’t wait to see her defeated because it only makes her more ridiculous.

As Sharon, Beyoncé Knowles in her first non-musical role makes a respectable step in her career by shying far away from her diva stage persona. She conveys the maturity of a wife and mother, but when she starts getting jealous you are right there with her character. When you see Beyoncé ring the alarm and challenge Ali Larter, this is exactly what you wait to see and she doesn’t disappoint.

The only weak link is Idris Elba as Derek. He never shows too much range in character, as he doesn’t have much growth. Constantly, you see him put his hand on his head when he's being pensive and you wait to hear him yell the same way when he is mad.

Obviously bearing a resemblance to Fatal Attraction, Obsessed is still able to be a good popcorn thriller that you will walk away feeling satisfied. The audience I sat with was very vocal by talking back to the screen, but that definitely is how you feel inside. It’s fun, suspenseful, sexy, and absorbing.

For all you Beyoncé/Destiny's Child fans, 15 song titles are scattered in this review. Can you spot 'em?

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