144 – Possession (Focus Features – Part Two)

Our Focus Features miniseries continues with the first official Focus release, 2002′s Possession. Adapted by Neil LaBute from A.S. Byatt’s celebrated novel, the film follows Gwyneth Paltrow and Aaron Eckhart as poetry scholars who fall in love while unearthing a secret love affair between two Victorian poets, played by Jennifer Ehle and Jeremy Northam. The adaptation had a long development process that drew such prestigious names as David Henry Hwang and Sydney Pollack, but arrived to theatres with a whimper of a release due to mild reviews while Focus’ other titles immediately emerged as their bigger Oscar opportunities. This episode, we look back at Focus’ successful inaugural Oscar year (namely with Far From Heaven and The Pianist) and the history of Paltrow’s British dialect. We also look back at Ehle’s brilliant but under-celebrated career, the final days of USA Films, and what films we think would’ve made it in a Best Picture 10. Topics also include the film’s perfect sweaters, 2002 cinematic bisexuals walking into bodies of water, and Ehle reading Pride and Prejudice on Instagram. Follow Us on Twitter! @Had_Oscar_Buzz Joe: @joereid Chris: @chrisvfeil