It certainly is similar. And at some points similar to Rebecca (also Hitchcock) as well. Overall, it's certainly nastier than Vertigo in that the main character chases his freaking daughter. To marry, no less. Just gross. Nevermind the fact that she had blue eyes in 1959 and then brown in 1975, when she looks exactly like her mother. I feel dirty after watching this film. Not as good as intriguing as Vertigo.
shareIn the Sight and Sound Poll, I think Obsession was not voted #1
shareThese links point out the similarities between the two films(CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR BOTH)
http://faculty.cua.edu/johnsong/hitchcock/pages/obsession/vert-obsessi on.html
http://faculty.cua.edu/johnsong/hitchcock/pages/obsession/obsession%20 stills.html
it is uncomfortable
shareVertigo and Rebecca are definitely big influences here-- the way Lasalle is killed also evokes the scissors murder in Dial M for Murder.
Vertigo is the better film, but I like Obsession too. It's very gothic and Hermann's score is gorgeous.
Of course "Vertigo" is the better film, it was completely original and this is an imitation!
A good imitation, a lush and creepy one, but one that falls short of greatness, and not just because it lacks originality - the finale is also borderline ridiculous. Well, so is the finale of "Vertigo", but the second half of "Vertigo" is such a fever dream that it works anyway, and that's not true of "Obsession".