Possessed, the second of two films with that title made by Joan Crawford, is typical Forties soap opera and probably would be forgotten today if it weren't for Crawford's performance. As she runs through a whole gamut of emotions exponentially, you will be glued to your seat.
A seemingly normal woman on the outside, Crawford's got a whole lot of issues. She's being dumped by younger boy friend Van Heflin and she won't call it a day.
Heflin's professional association with Raymond Massey doesn't help matters. Crawford works as a nurse for Massey's invalid wife and when the wife dies, Crawford excepts Massey's marriage proposal.
Joan is so conflicted here. By now she realizes Heflin is a no good love 'em and leave 'em rat, but she still pines for him. And jealousy is working here too, because Heflin has taken a shine to Massey's daughter Geraldine Brooks.
It's an extraordinary job by Crawford. Rage, jealousy, unrequited love, she shows them all and at the same time. No wonder she got her second Oscar nomination. She lost however to Loretta Young in The Farmer's Daughter.
Heflin is good, but if this had been made at 20th Century Fox, his role would have been perfect for Tyrone Power. What a classic Possessed would then have been.
