Film Reviews

Obsessed

• Rating:
• Director: Steve Shill
• Starring: Idris Elba, Beyoncé Knowles, Ali Larter, Jerry O'Connell
• Details: US / 108mins (TBC)

Produced by Beyonce Knowles and her father, as well as (quite randomly), Magic Johnson, Obsessed is your typical Hollywood run-of-the-mill thriller that's all talk and no balls. You're left wondering why Beyonce would sign up for such a nothing role until the final third, when she completely ignores the lyrics to her hit tune "Single Ladies" and goes to town on one. Despite being the pure epitome of mediocre, it does boast a solid lead turn from Idris Elba, who is fast garnering a name for himself in tinsel town. Elba plays the perfect father and husband; a man on the up in a progressive company who is admired by colleagues and friends alike. When extremely attractive new temp Lisa (Larter), starts in his office, a bit of harmless flirting soon descends into bunny boiler territory, as Lisa becomes obsessed with bedding him and beginning a relationship. Knowles, meanwhile, just sits at home, being the perfect mother to an adorable kid, and the perfect wife to the aforementioned perfect husband. Films like this are two a penny in Hollywood, but this one was a surprise smash at the box-office, mainly on account of Heroes star Ali Larter in extremely tight clothing, and the fact that Beyonce is currently one of the biggest performers on the planet. But this is a dull, overlong and repetitive film that takes far too long get going. Sure, there is some guilty fun to be had in the last ten minutes or so, but even that feels out of place with the tone of the rest of the film. Larter too makes for an appealing psycho, but she's given absolutely zero to work with. No background as to why she nuts, no reason, and - ultimately - no explanation. She is just a ridiculously hot and crazy broad. Who doesn’t know one of those!? Some films you forget as soon as you leave the cinema; I drew a blank on Obsessed even before the credits began to roll. An awful, clichéd script is made somewhat watchable by Elba and Larter; but this is still not worth paying ten quid to see. Wait for the DVD so you can fall asleep in the comfort on your own home.

Review by Mike Sheridan