Twisted Obsession

Jeff Goldblum is a remarkably good natural actor who has worked in some remarkably bad films. Twisted Obsession, based on Christopher Frank's novel The Dream of the Mad Monkey, can be added to the list, which includes Transylvania 6-5000 and Thank God It's Friday. As screenwriter/narrator Dan Ellis, Goldblum virtually shoulders the story (which is really not that twisted). Initially, it looks as if a self-proclaimed avant-garde film director pimps for his sister to get his movies made (although later it becomes apparent that the sister is in charge). She makes Dan an offer he can't refuse, so to speak, as well as a producer Dan often works for. Before long Dan and the director are struggling to write and make a film that makes no sense. The viewer is admittedly hooked, at first, but everyone's obsession with this rather ordinarily sullen 16-year-old girl eventually seems incredulous. Surely, there are other women in Paris. And speaking of locale, people will dearly appreciate Goldblum's command of the French language. Throughout the film--sometimes during relatively tense moments--he has conversations lasting upwards of two minutes entirely in untranslated, unsubtitled French. Merde! Not recommended. (R. Pitman)