Obsession (Netflix) - new adaptation of Damage

[Faircastle]

The dialogue is not exactly inspiring, but there are some lovely properties featured. And yes, I'm aware of how middle-aged that makes me sound.

It's quite remarkable how bad it is.
I mean, it's a performance to make something so bad really, you have to admire that.

I was here to see a bit of good old steamy sex but there's no chemistry at all, they seem to share nothing but a freaking floral patterned pillow.
And that scene my god, what did they try to achieve here?
Can we please take 5 minutes to just appreciate the fact that the cast and production team were in a zoom call, went through the script of the episode and...here's the pillow ladies and gentlemen.

Really glad I'm not the only one who thought Anna reminded me of Maxine Carr.
She's very creepy.
I'm only on episode 2 but I've been reading this thread through most of it, getting bored. I don't think I can be arsed to watch any more tbh.

I read that Richard Armitage improvised that scene!

Imaging thinking "Wouldn't it be really hot if I pretended to be so overcome with passion that I pretended to shag a pillow in a Paris hotel room. That would be such an authentic, moving scene that viewers will love and which will really add to the credibility and artistic value of this fine series."

I wonder if he's read any of the commentary about it in forums like this, and is wishing the director had advised him to keep his improvisations to himself?

Omg she does!

Not necessarily true. The chemical between Phoebe Waller Bridge and Andrew Scott in Fleabag was incredible. This was just typical Netflix trash.

*chemistry not chemical

No chemistry between actors... it could have been much better

The only scene that I didn't find ridiculous was when the mother (I've ignorantly forgotten the actors name but shes great in everything) was grieving the son and smashing her head into the cabinet. She was the only actor to portray any emotion throughout.

Anna was supposed to be creepy.
Anyone who hasn't watched Damage the original film version should watch it then see what they think.

Basically I think it was a modern version that lacked Any tension.
The film was creepy and sinister .Odd but was supposed to be.

Compare the two etc..

Those who think RA's sexuality prevents him from having sexual chemistry with female co-stars have clearly never seen him in the BBC production of North and South! Bloody hell, he was terrific in that. "Look back at me!"

He was also damn sexy in Spooks.

Yes!!
the scene on the bench with the flower crackles with tension. This is just a shit production.

I'm getting Molly Ringwald in 'The Breakfast Club'.

Watching this based off the previous film and reviews in newspaper.

I get Anna was meant to be creepy but she was also meant to be actually alluring with some personality? Gazing like a piece of wood over a room isn't alluring and no one is seduced instantly through a creepy stare.

Episode 1 is pure fucking cringe. I don't know if I cba watching the rest.

*I read that Richard Armitage improvised that scene!

Imaging thinking "Wouldn't it be really hot if I pretended to be so overcome with passion that I pretended to shag a pillow in a Paris hotel room. That would be such an authentic, moving scene that viewers will love and which will really add to the credibility and artistic value of this fine series.*

Tbf I'm guessing he wasn't going for sexy. It was in keeping with how excessively obsessed he was with her throughout the series (not regretting his son's death? Seriously?)

I don't think there was any way that character would come across as sexy!

I just knew they'd review the cushion scene on Gogglebox. They were all cringing like we were!!!

It may not have been in the script but it was in the original novel. So he didnt just make it up out of nowhere

@EmmaGrundyForPM did the novel help you relate more to the husband's selfish behaviour? Were there reasons why he fell so hard?

I started watching this and then came here to see if everyone else was thinking as I was - how bloody unconvincing it all is! There’s zero chemistry between the two of them! I’m sorry to be blunt but neither of them is magnetically attractive enough to pull that off. I watched the clip from the original film and you can at least see why those two people would stand out - Armitage and Murphy, on the other hand, look like they’d blend in beautifully in Waitrose and John Lewis, or perhaps having a glass of warm Prosecco at a PTA get together.

It's a while since I read the novel but I remember that it was this overpowering sexual attraction from the moment they met.

I had a relationship like that many years ago. Completely dysfunctional in lots of ways, but the sexual attraction was like nothing else I'd experienced before or since. So I related to the novel.

I think it's interesting that the novel was written by a woman. If you didn't know that, I think the assumption would be that it was a male author.

Thanks, @EmmaGrundyForPM

The Google box crew last night and that pillow scene was funny !
She does have Maxine Carr hair too
A complete turn off

I've only seen episode one. Dunno if to bother watching the rest

I watched a bit of this & was really confused by all the staring & yes to the Maxine Carr look.

15 mins in and I've had enough of the long meaningless stares.