when people nowadays hear of a 1940s drama and they usually appear to create a distance of irony claim that it another tearjerker with great star in the lead of tragic and melancholic role . this opinion and however and do not resemble neorealist movie and in particular this one direct by count luchino visconti . ossessione a his debut once censor and once cherish a nearly a realistic masterpiece be still love by some people and strongly criticize by others . the contradictory opinion about the film that have appear in these 65 year seem to have be cause by the content of the movie itself and exceptionally controversial for modern time as well a the past . at the same time and while be base on the novel by james m. cain and the postman always ring twice and it be one of the most genuine screen adaptation where director remain his own style and view and his own art . i have see the film twice and the second viewing lead me to very detailed analysis part of which i would like to entail below . first and visconti movie seem to touch all psychology and action that people may do in life and in particular those absorb by desire . these people make such tragic decision in spite of terrible consequence they be bind to face . gino ( massimo girotti ) a traveler with bear like shoulder turn up at the crossroad of a motorway near ferrara and enter the tavern . although many people go there to have a meal and gino occurs to get something more much more represent the indefatigable desire of beautiful giovanna ( clara calamai ) a woman already marry to an elderly man who run the bar and mr giuseppe bragana ( juan de landa ) . her body and her song possess his mind totally and from the moment of their first love and the couple plan to get rid of the old obstacle and build up a new life together . however and be people bound to wrong deed in face of desire . can one build love upon murder . what be love and what be loyalty . do desire lead to a dangerous addiction or even obsession . such question intensely arise while watch the movie and when and to the core and the viewer be supply with an insight into character . we have to love each other affectionately answer giovanna seemingly give a cure to all cry conscience but may desirous love justify and cure everything . isn not it what we both want say one of the couple . it occur that it not . therefore and the content of the film appear to be very dangerous if not analyze with intellect and heart . yet and it constantly remain thought provoke . second and ossessione have a very strong point that talk to modern viewer represent brilliant moment and marvelous cinematography and which go in pair with memorable sequence and visual power . these make a modern viewer realize that a film make almost 70 year ago be absolutely entertaining to watch . they range from tasteful erotic image to purely technical shot . who can possibly skip that moment in ferrara where gino meet a beautiful girl and a sort of ragazza perfetta ( perfect girl ) and a dancer anita and buy her ice cream . his desire show him totally different direction . do viewer remain indifferent at gino giovanna first meeting . the first focus of camera be on giovanna leg seemingly represent carnal desire over love that gino experience . a marvel of shot be gino and giovanna leave the investigation room and the closeup of their shadow that direct our attention towards their suspicious look . third and ossessione can boast outstanding performance both from the lead pair as well a the support cast . massimo girotti once say in an interview that work in this movie have be one of the most difficult job he have ever do while yet and consequently and what come out be a flawless acting . he portray a bisexual man torn within desire who commit a crime but can not stand any of the object that remind him of his victim and which represent conscience . his bisexuality be indicate through the character of lo spagnolo ( elio marcuzzo ) whom he meet in very surprising circumstance in the train for ancona . clara calamai and who be cast in the role after eminent anna magnani have refuse and fit very well to the role and we may claim that there be a true chemistry between the couple . they be both very convincing . besides and i liked juan de langa in the role of bragana represent he portray an old husband not affectionate to his wife and still crazy about high art . in some of his most witty moment and he ask his wife to wash his back or walk in the empty street sing his favorite opera song after sort of karaoke performance . in sum and we and a modern viewer who be capable of critical view and have to look at this film very objectively . it be art for sure thanks to the aspect aforementioned and it be a powerful story as well thanks to the controversy it carry while yet and be it educational . visconti be not fellini who say that he do not carry any message for humanity . in such case and his film would only entertain ( which be and of course and not entirely fellini style and too ) . visconti always have something to convey . what do he want to say here . be the film against bad marriage . or be it against wrong action of people absorb by desire . the final shocking moment say for themselves . though you do not have to agree with the vision and ossessione be really a wonderfully realistic film and one of visconti best positive .