Magnificent Obsession

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Magnificent Obsession

1954,

1h 48m,

Drama

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88%

25 Reviews

Tomatometer

72%

1,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

25 Reviews

72%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Reckless playboy Robert Merrick (Rock Hudson) is in a boat accident, and his condition requires a resuscitator to save his life. Soon afterward Dr. Phillips has a heart attack and needs the same machine. Without it, Dr. Phillips dies. Due to his philanthropy and his wife Helen's accident, she (Jane Wyman) has very little money. Merrick then tries to right his wrongs with Helen --falling in love with her in the process -- and decides to turn to the study of medicine to become a surgeon.

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Wanda Hale

New York Daily News

Jun 23, 2021

3/4

Jane Wyman, in the exacting role of Helen Phillips, plays the part heroically with sincerity and restraint, getting sympathy without asking for it. Rock Hudson gives his character life and strength.

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Richard Brody

The New Yorker

Jun 1, 2015

Every step depends on stifled emotions and closely guarded secrets, resulting in a buildup of operatic passion that endows everyday gestures and inflections with grandeur and nobility.

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Don Druker

Chicago Reader

Apr 30, 2012

[Sirk provides] a coolly formal approach to otherwise unwieldy projects.

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Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

Jan 10, 2022

B+

Sirk's rich signature color palate is on full display for a winking adventure in high camp, in Technicolor no less.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Jan 21, 2020

3/4

...a fairly outrageous premise that's employed to predictably melodramatic effect by Sirk...

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Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

Nov 11, 2019

No use arguing about this one; every customer evidently considers it either a profound inspirational drama or a rather maudlin soap opera about the golden rule. My own view leans to the latter persuasion...

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Feb 1, 2019

The best romance movie ever made!

Anakin R

Jan 26, 2018

Outdated and Unreal.

Finn P

Jul 28, 2013

A bit dramatic, but the philosophical aspects intrigued.

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Douglas Sirk

Director

Jane Wyman

Helen Phillips

Rock Hudson

Dr. Bob Merrick

Barbara Rush

Joyce Phillips

Agnes Moorehead

Nancy Ashford

Otto Kruger

Edward Randolph

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Synopsis

Reckless playboy Robert Merrick (Rock Hudson) is in a boat accident, and his condition requires a resuscitator to save his life. Soon afterward Dr. Phillips has a heart attack and needs the same machine. Without it, Dr. Phillips dies. Due to his philanthropy and his wife Helen's accident, she (Jane Wyman) has very little money. Merrick then tries to right his wrongs with Helen --falling in love with her in the process -- and decides to turn to the study of medicine to become a surgeon.

Director: Douglas Sirk
Producer: Ross Hunter
Screenwriter: Robert Blees, Lloyd C. Douglas, Finley Peter Dunne, Victor Heerman, Sarah Y. Mason, Wells Root
Distributor: Universal International Pictures
Production Co: Universal International Pictures
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 7, 1954, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 19, 2016
Runtime: 1h 48m

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