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Obsession

Name: Obsession
Director: Jean Delannoy
Released: 1954
Duration: 100 min

Representation Score

1.4/10

Minimal

1954

Director

Jean Delannoy

Runtime

100 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Obsession is a period-specific psychological drama that emphasizes personal impulses over social upheaval. While it provides a nuanced look at women's ability to drive the story through Hélène, the film remains firmly grounded in the traditional demographic and cultural standards of mid-20th-century European cinema. The production lacks diversity in terms of race, sexual orientation, and disability, sticking closely to the homogeneous social environment of its time. The narrative structure focuses on classic romantic archetypes without challenging existing social or gender hierarchies. Ultimately, the film explores personal psychological landscapes within a very narrow, traditional framework.

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Category Breakdown

Does Obsession have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or non-straight relationships. The main conflict revolves around a traditional romantic triangle involving a married couple and a third person.

How does Obsession portray gender?

Fair

Hélène is given substantial depth and importance, avoiding stereotypes of submissive women. However, the film does not challenge traditional masculine authority or hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Obsession?

Minimal

The cast is uniform, reflecting the demographics of 1954 provincial France. It portrays a predominantly white, Eurocentric society without diverse ethnic backgrounds.

How does Obsession represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story centers on the private lives and the consequences of breaking social norms. It views passion and criminality as individual psychological issues rather than broader societal problems.

Does Obsession include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters with visible or invisible disabilities, nor are disabilities used as part of the narrative.

Present on Screen

The protagonist, Hélène, is given significant psychological depth and influence.
The film avoids stereotypes of submissive women by focusing on the female experience.

Limited or Absent

The cast lacks racial and ethnic diversity, remaining entirely Eurocentric.
There is no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight relationships.
The film lacks any portrayal of characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Hélène and Aldo Giovanni are a circus trapeze double act and a couple. Aldo is temporarily replaced by former-partner Alexandre when the former is injured. The two get into a fight and the following day Alexandre is discovered dead. Hélène suspects her husband is responsible for the murder.

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