Product Details

• Actors: Gabriel Byrne, Amanda Donohoe, Struan Rodger, Douglas Hodge, Peter Sands
• Format: Color, EP, NTSC
• Rated: NC-17
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• VHS Release Date: May 23, 1995
• Run Time: 87 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 2.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302194970
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #455,237 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Directed by documentary filmmaker Nick Broomfield (Kurt & Courtney), this intense 1989 film seeks to challenge notions of morality and sexual obsession. This highly stylized investigation of amorality among the upper crust features Gabriel Byrne (Miller's Crossing) as an aristocrat in the throes of jealous paranoia about the goings-on of his wife, played by Amanda Donohoe (Lair of the White Worm). Believing that she is having an affair, he becomes increasingly unglued until one night, having had too much to drink with friends, he deliberately runs down a woman with his car, thinking she is his wife. When she turns out to be one of his staff, Byrne and his cronies pledge to cover up the murder, until one of the bunch begins to wrestle with feelings of guilt, jeopardizing the rest. Meanwhile, Byrne struggles to contend with his so-called normal life, complete with all its callous decadence, hoping not to be discovered as a murderer as he contends with his rabid jealousy. Lurid and uncompromising, the adult-themed Dark Obsession offers a disturbing and compelling view of the dark side of human sexuality. --Robert Lane

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful thriller, July 31, 2003

By 

J. Houzet "wozamoya" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dark Obsession [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Dark Obsession was hard to watch because it is not a movie that leaves you with a sense of satisfaction. We watch many movies with loathsome characters, but most get their just desserts, or at least some measure of retribution. That's not the case with the central character here, a philandering and bullying British aristocrat played by Gabriel Byrne. Granted, he is a good actor, but boy did I hate him!
Consumed by jealous lust for his wife and suspecting her of infidelity, he runs her over with his car, or so he thinks. Turns out he killed someone else. Byrne's friends become complicit in his crime by covering it up for him. One of them has a conscience that eventually gets the better of him, but will justice be done?
Amanda Donohoe is good as Byrne's longsuffering wife. This must have been in the middle of her LA Law days. She is adept at playing both innocent beauties and scheming she-devils (a la Lair of the White Worm).
Also look out for a young Sadie Frost as Byrne's sister. She looks much curvier here than she did in Bram Stoker's Dracula.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Gabriel Byrne Fan, October 24, 2006

By 

Garfield "Megabite" (Auckland, New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dark Obsession [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Well I am a Gabriel Byrne fan and purchased this video for that reason. There are two versions in existence, I am still trying to get the uncut version which I believe will give the story more substance. The cut version just leaves too much out to bring to life the fear and jealousy involved in this plot.....I believe most of the talents of all the actors in this movie were not explored, much better movies out there with GB in.....:)

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Dumb/NC-17?, November 18, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Dark Obsession [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This film was just plain dumb. I see very few have bothered to even write a review. That says a lot. There is little plot, no character development, and the NC-17 rating isn't appropriate. Maybe because this movie is kind of old...The sex scenes are mild. Anyway, Gabriel Byrne has very few lines and just avoid this...