Obsessed (2009)

Directed by: Steve Shill | 108 minutes | drama, thriller, crime | Actors: Idris Elba, Beyoncé Knowles, Ali Larter, Jerry O’Connell, Bruce McGill, Christine Lahti, Bonnie Perlman, Nathan Myers, Nicolas Myers, Matthew Humphreys, Scout Taylor-Compton, Richard Ruccolo, Ron Roggé, Meredith Roberts, Dana Cuomo

A woman who, after a suicide attempt, is found naked in bed in your hotel room. Explain that to your wife! And so it takes that conscious lady of the house, Sharon, played by Beyoncé Knowles, before she trusts you again as before. But then she takes up arms to neutralize the “danger” that threatens the happy family. Derek Charles (Idris Elba from “The Wire”) has everything his heart desires. A great promotion at work, a loving wife, a cute son and a beautiful new home. When Derek’s company hires graceful new temp Lisa Sheridan (Ali Larter), he stubbornly tries to keep their relationship purely commercial.

Lisa, however, quickly reveals herself as temp from hell. Her goal is to blow up Derek’s marriage and win him over. It becomes increasingly difficult for Derek to hide Lisa’s advances from his wife. From a first approach in the elevator to a ‘robbery’ in the toilet during a company party to ‘flashing’ in the company parking garage. Derek has a lot to do with the fiery, relentless Lisa. Because the jealous Sharon no longer trusts him after the hotel room incident, she shows him the door. After three months of careful construction, Derek can finally return home. Of course, this does not make sense to the ‘very special’ temporary worker. The blond stalker surreptitiously invades the Charles house and poses a real threat. She should have left that out of her mind, because there is no messing around with the lady of the house.

The second time Lisa gains access to Derek and Sharon’s house, a showdown ends between the two taming hens. To end with the film’s tagline, Mrs. Knowles goes to great lengths to protect what’s hers. Once the limit is reached, there is no stopping it…

Well, a temp who shows a special interest in the successful man at work. Where have we seen that more – and better -? Think of ‘Fatal Attraction’ and ‘Disclosure’. Glenn Close and Demi Moore still acted a few degrees better than blonde Ali, although she tries her best. Idris Elba is not much to blame. He tries to make the most of his lead role, but should not get stuck in this ‘mainstream genre’. Beyoncé Knowles would do well to put her forays into film on the back burner. She hardly manages to convince for a moment (jealous, in love, jealous, in love, jealous, EVIL!). Jerry O’Connell (Ben, Derek’s “buddy” at work) is almost laughable while dishing up clichéd macho language. And what about the very gullible inspector of police Christine Lahti? Not to mention the cheesy scene of the happy family under the inevitable Christmas tree! Conclusion: ‘Obsessed’ is quite enjoyable, but certainly not a high flyer. Seems more made for television. A good example of ‘a lot of screaming in the trailer, little wool in the real movie’. Next!