MovieChat Forums > Ossessione (1949) Discussion > Better than THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWI...

Better than THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE

posted 18 years ago by E_D_N
11 replies | jump to latest

As much as I love the LANA TURNER / JOHN GARFIELD classic, this has it beat hands-down.

First off, the erotic chemistry CHIARA CLARAMAI and MASSIMO GIROTTI share here is amazing. They burn up the screen.

VISCONTI's direction and selection of shots is superb, right down to the tiniest details. THe script, dialogues, cinematography, as well as the acting by the two leads are superlative.

In other words, whereas THE POSTMAN... gets sidetracked with the trial, etc... OSSESSIONE keeps its one-track mind on the right paths and the results are explosive!

A must-see!

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[–] mule15228 18 years ago

Good, but a bit overwrought. Clara Calamai (Giovanna) is somewhat melodramatic - perhaps expected in the era of the forties when film was dealing with weighty topics. Nevertheless worth two and one-half hours to see Visconti bring neo-realism to the screen. Also the cultural aspects of Italy in the early 40's were interesting.

[–] E_D_N 18 years ago

Good, but a bit overwrought. Clara Calamai (Giovanna) is somewhat melodramatic - perhaps expected in the era of the forties when film was dealing with weighty topics.

I kinda disagree with the melodramatic part.

I think what we see onscreen perfectly emulate a variety emotions from longing to jealousy, etc... things that today's soap operas have co-opted for less rewarding ends.

Anyway, I have rarely seen such erotic chemistry between two leads depicted so nakedly, in such a raw manner -- esp. given the time and the circumstances in which the film was made.

That bedroom scene is priceless and tells us all we need to know about the things to come. There, the Claramai's main frustrations are brought forth with such force... it drives the following events to their logical conclusions and grinds the whole thing down to a level of reality -- her reality -- that's hard to argue with. It's a very deterministic approach that works IMO.

The bedroom scene:

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/5357/pdvd3579ed.jpg

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/7167/pdvd3760ju.jpg

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/4066/pdvd3794vj.jpg

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/3111/pdvd3810hy.jpg

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/1655/pdvd3872cm.jpg

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/1659/pdvd3934qn.jpg

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/6630/pdvd4237zk.jpg

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[–] glmoritz 18 years ago

I just watched this on Turner Classic and it was a revelation. I'm familiar with change in Hollywood pre-code vs. code, but the even pre-code Hollywood films didn't display this kind of raw sexuality. What Hollywood star would appear onscreen with hair on his back and shoulders? Massimo Girotti was a complete unknown to me, which is a shame. He's like a combination of Paul Newman, James Dean and Robert Mitchum -- and handsomer than any of them. Ossessione IS better than The Postman Always Rings Twice.

[–] pillfeast 17 years ago

Hollywood never did have any idea what to do with the raw sexuality in a James M. Cain novel, Double Indemnity was pretty sexy for the time but it was still mostly reliant on suggestive but well polished dialogue whereas in Ossessione you get the feeling they're really about to tear each others clothes off and go for it. The dingy and sub-Hollywood production quality enhances the beautiful squalor of the whole thing as well, that aspect reminded me a little of Edgar G. Ulmer's Detour.

Imagine if Visconti hadn't managed to save this from the Fascists.

As a dying butterfly was heard to whisper, "He's a bloody lunatic!"

[–] navywife6276 17 years ago

I, too, am a fan of the Lana Turner version, but have to agree with EDN that "Ossessione" was better!

I was quite taken by Massimo Girotti as Gino...Wow! You couldn't blame Giovanna for falling for him.

The passion between Gino and Giovanna was really believable - they just smouldered on screen - because of the excellent performances of Massimo Girotti and Chiara Claramai.

Great film - even if you are not a fan of foreign films, don't let that discourage you from watching this movie!

[–] ootmians 16 years ago

Amen. "Postman" is kind of fun to watch in its own way, but it's more of a glossy Hollywood fantasy than a slice of life. (I can believe that Lana Turner would drive someone to obsession, but I don't buy for a minute that she's ever flipped a burger or washed a dish in her life!) That film also loses steam rapidly when the focus shifts from the leads to the outrageously unbelievable and laughably over-the-top police investigation and "trial".

Ossessione does a much better job of convicing us that these might actually be real, desperate people, which for me at least makes it much more interesting.

[–] BwlBoy 15 years ago

Having seen the Hollywood version first I preferred that but I think if I had seen Ossessione before it I would probably be hailing it a masterpiece.

[–] jimmywhale 12 years ago

Thank you for these comments EDN. I agree completely with what you've written in this thread and I'm taking this opportunity to "bump" it to the top.

I forgot how much I loved Visconti, until I watched this one today. Remarkable movie!

He was on Planet Earth the whole time!

[–] Errington_92 12 years ago

Although I haven't seen the 1946 version I have watched the 1981 version. Comparing the 1981 version to Ossessione and I prefer the latter. Although both sets of couples had raw passion for each other I felt the couple in Ossessione were more real not only in moments of passion but the resulting emotional conflicts they engaged in. Also I felt more engaged with Ossessione as it had many sub plot elements particularly the brief fling Gino had with Anita, there was great feelings between the two which was interesting to watch.

"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not".

[–] mathmaniac 12 years ago

There was a QUIET intensity to the Italian protagonist - when he walks into the store and locks the door behind him, it had the ferocity of someone who was intent on getting what he wants. Almost creepy, and then you realize she wants it just as much.

The American versions (both) would have lingered on the man, underlined his intentions in a hundred ways, and not shown as much passionate desire.

[–] 12 years ago

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