Everybody's a critic - 'Possession'

Three stars

Imagine trying to change history. That is what Maud Bailey (Gwyneth Paltrow) and Roland Michell (Aaron Eckhart) try to do in the film "Possession."

As Roland is conducting research within the London library, he comes across handwritten notes from Ash (a famous poet played by Jeremy Northam) to an assummed mistress. Roland decides to team up with Maud in order to prove that Ash was not as faithful to his wife as had been believed. Together they go to great lengths to find old journals and letters while they are subconsciously falling in love with each other.

This film is held together by the intertwining stories of past and present love. There were times when I just said "wow" at how the scenes were constructed. The picture was brought to a marvelous conclusion by one of the best endings of the year. Even my guy friends were saying "wow"!

-- Layne Strattman, college student

Two-and-a-half stars

I thought that the movie "Possession" itself was all right. The way that they went about it was interesting. Going back and forth from present to past made it keep your attention, but that was the only thing. It was a very slow-going movie.

It wasn't what I had expected. I don't really like films set in England, so that was a setback at first, but after the first 30 minutes or so I got past it.

The whole plot to the movie was a good one, but they could have got on with it a little faster or something. I will say this is a movie I would much rather watch at my house on my couch than at the theater. More of a Hallmark movie.

-- Megan Summers, cashier

Three stars

If you are looking for an action movie with lots of special effects, this film is not for you. It is about two romances: one past, one present.

Gwyneth Paltrow and Aaron Eckhart play modern-day academics who have stumbled upon a literary find -- a previously unknown romantic connection between two famous Victorian-era poets. Jeremy Northam and Jennifer Ehle play the 19th-century characters. Both sets of actors do a wonderful job portraying their characters, and the director does a smooth scene transition between past and present.

One might wonder what's so exciting about discovering a passionate fling between to dead poets, but Northam is mesmerizing as Randolph Henry Ash. The scene where he unlaces his lover's corset is incredibly sexy.

Some people might find this movie boring. I found it smart and subtly sensual. It's too bad more theater seats weren't filled.

-- Susan Sulser, registered nurse