Magnificent Obsession

Filmmaker Douglas Sirk was on a winning streak in the 1950s that few filmmakers have been able to replicate or come close to. Between "The Tarnished Angels," "All That Heaven Allows" and "Imitation of Life," Sirk proved that they soapiest of operas deserve a place in the mainstream as long as it has someone behind the camera that knows how to tame histrionics. "Magnificent Obsession" may have predated the aforementioned films, but it stands as proof of Sirk's mastery of the genre that many struggled within. And although it's a work that may not be his best, it's a delight to see available with a great new Blu-ray release from the Criterion Collection.

Spoiled rich kid Bob Merrick (Rock Hudson) crashes his speedboat and the emergency services use a resuscitator that saves his life. On the other side of town, Dr. Wayne Phillips died because the same resuscitator was unavailable. After Merrick's revelation of all the good that Dr. Phillips did for people, he tries to right his way of life to fall in line with that kind of philanthropy. Merrick's persistence to help others ends up injuring Helen Phillips, wife of the late doctor and the focus of the playboy's newfound love and desire. To curb the wrongs, Merrick goes back to medical school with the goal of finding a cure of Helen's ocular ailment.

There's a special feature on this new Blu-ray of "Magnificent Obsession" that's an interview with screenwriter Robert Blees and his experience on the project. He speaks fondly of Sirk's genuine dedication to giving heightened romantic drama the stage that he thought it deserved. And if history has taught us anything, that same drama is rendered through lush technicolor and performances that are just as exacting as Sirk's control over his projects. Blees also mentions that Universal paid Jane Wyman an exorbitant sum to be in the film opposite Rock Hudson, who was still early on in his career and hadn't really mastered his craft yet. You can even see that on screen, especially as it seems often that Wyman knew exactly how to draw out the necessary emotion and range needed to be a romantic lead.

Also, on this Blu-ray is the 1935 John M. Stahl-directed adaptation of Lloyd C. Douglas' novel "Magnificent Obsession," and it's stunning to see the two directors and how, if at all, they pared down the original material to be more palatable. Douglas' novel made Bob Merrick out to be a messiah of sorts; the only man that could save Helen and others from incurable ailments. Sirk, of course, may reduce Merrick to a petulant pretty boy of sorts, but great interest is taken in his redemptive arc.

The new high definition video presentation from Criterion was created from a 35mm interpositive, and it's clear watching "Magnificent Obsession" that the film elements have seen better days. That are instances during wide panoramic shots that the depth of field isn't exactly where it should be and that the darker scenes sometimes don't have a great sense of color balance, but this restoration is still nothing short of a feat by Criterion. Sirk's entire oeuvre should be restored by someone, but the costs behind such a production are incredible and not every studio is interested in preserving or restoring their back catalogs. Pick this release up if you're interested in Sirk, as it comes with plenty of special features any fan would adore. Other special features include:

� Audio commentary with film scholar Thomas Doherty
� "From UFA to Hollywood: Douglas Sirk Remembers," a 1991 documentary directed by Eckhardt Schmidt
� Interviews from 2008 with directors Allison Anders and Kathryn Bigelow, in which they pay tribute to Sirk
� Trailer
� Booklet with essay by critic Geoffrey O'Brien

"Magnificent Obsession"
Criterion Blu-ray
$39.95
https://www.criterion.com/films/973