On DVD-'Obsessed'

'Obsessed' (PG-13)) ***

Writer: David Loughery
Director: Steve Shill
Starring: Idris Elba, Beyonce Knowles, Ali Larter, Bruce McGill, Christine Lahti, Jerry O'Connell

'Obsessed is one of those slick, trashy guilty pleasures you shouldn't like but boy is it entertaining and here the filmmakers do a decent job of telling this goofy story. This is yet another variation of "Fatal Attraction" which was an over rated button pusher. I like this movie better and it has two great performances, one by a good new actor doing good work and one a complete surprise. Idris Elba is a fresh and good new actor and he is great as an executive tempted by conveniently a temp in his office. She is played by Ali Larter and I was shocked at how great she is. She owns this role looking very beautiful and sexy with that dangerous side just peaking out trying to emerge. Needless to say she starts trying to seduce this successful, good looking man who happens to be married to a nice beautiful wife who is with an adorable child. The wife is played by Beyonce Knowles. Knowles is getting better as an actress but she is just a little short of being a really good actor. She only comes alive in the end when she kicks into "Oh no you don't, you ain't gonna steal my man"! mode. I was never bored with this movie and I was entertained and I had fun. This might not be rocket science but it is effective. The main selling point of this movie is at the end when Larter and Knowles get into a wicked cat fight. It is a pretty good cat fight but more vicious then arousing if that is the type of thing you are looking for. This movie also has one of the best character actors in Bruce McGill and Ali Larter who I couldn't take my eyes off of. She gives a great performance, is sexy and looks "pretty good". "Obsessed" is now available on DVD.