By Love Possessed (United Artists 1961)
"If I get drunk and pass out it's no fun for me, and if YOU get drunk and pass out it's no fun for me"...
Release Date: July 19, 1961.
Credited Cast and Crew:
Lana Turner, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Jason Robards, George Hamilton.
Directed by: John Sturges
Writing Credits: James Gould Cozzens, Charles Schnee (as John Dennis)
Produced by: Walter Mirisch
Original Music by: Elmer Bernstein, Agustin Lara
Cinematography by: Russell Metty
Synopsis: A bored, alcoholic, pleasure deprived wife begins an affair with her husband's law partner, while everyone around them makes a mess of their own lives.
My Review: Considering the Turner triumphs that came before (Imitation of Life, Peyton Place) and after (Madame X) it, By Love Possessed just doesn't do it for me. The films starts out with a lot of promise. Lana as the alcoholic housewife, who drinks to the point of self destruction, would have been a great center to this film. The problem is, it has no center and the films just sort of chugs along (very slowly I might add). There are so many long speeches and not enough action. No one seems to accomplish anything really, they just talk and talk and talk some more. Forty-five minutes into the film, I seriously considered just fast forwarding the tape to look for Lana's scenes. This one's for the purists only.
The highlight of this film for me was Lana's black sequined gown in the scene at the dance. It's one of her less elaborate outfits, but looks terrific on her, nonetheless.
Your Review: What are YOUR thoughts on this film? Contact me at Liza@lanaturneronline.com
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