Yes, it's campy. It's kind of tame, it's obvious, even predictable. It's also kind of fun. The PG-13 thriller Obsessed is blessed with a cast that keeps things moving and even fairly entertaining, for what it is.
The Story of Obsessed
Idris Elba plays a man who seems to have it all. The perfect family, complete with wife Sharon (Beyonce Knowles) and son. A great job, good friends, a nice house. When a lovely temp (Ali Larter) is hired into his office as a secretary and begins dismantling his life, all those things are thrown into peril.
As the film moves to it's fairly obvious conclusion (and if you somehow missed the ad campaigns, you'll probably STILL be able to guess where it's all going), the talented cast (aided by the fat kid from Stand By Me, er, that is, Jerry O'Connell) stays game enough to just make it all work. In a way, anyway.
The Good Obsessed
Ali Larter is very convincing, almost irritatingly so, as the sexy temp. She slinks, winks, and slyly hits all the right notes on her way to a very creepy, even slimy character. You don't know if she really believes the things that she's saying, or if her obsession is really just that; an obsession. In the end, it doesn't really matter, because the threat is all too real for Elba and Knowles.
Speaking of which, Elba is dynamite in his part. The veteran actor (The Wire) is likable, engaging, and charismatic. For her part, Beyonce holds her own. She's alternately fragile and strong, sometimes within the same scene. Their relationship is believable and makes the film work more effectively.
The score is great. Tense and moody, and stays strong throughout.
The Bad Obsessed
In a nutshell, the script just isn't very original. That's a pretty big detraction. That's ok, because most will go in knowing what to expect, but it's probably a sticking point for those expecting a more "grown up" thriller. It's campy and all pretty silly, elevated only by the stirring performances. There's nothing here we haven't seen done (better) many times before.
You never really feel as if any of the protagonists are in any real danger, particularly even the child, which is surprising. It's a far cry from Rebecca DeMornay's harrowing turn in The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, for instance.
Is Obsessed Any Good?
Depending on what you expect going in, Obsessed could be pretty entertaining. Then again, the criticisms of "toothless" and "mild" could definitely be applicable. It's all fairly non-threatening, despite the palpable tension and Larter's impressive theatrics.
For what it is, PG-13 exploitation fare, Obsessed is fairly absorbing. At the very least, harmlessly diverting.
