Director Neil LaBute (In the Company of Men, Nurse Betty) will surprise some viewers with Possession, which is a personal and thought-provoking film.

Roland Michell (Eckart) is an American researcher trying to make it in the difficult world of British Academics. He has yet to break out from under his mentor's shadow when he finds a pair of love letters in the textbook that once belonged to one of his idols, English poet Radolph Ash. These letters are sent by Ash to a mysterious woman whom he suspects to be another well known Victorian poet. Michell and another researcher, Maud Bailey (Paltrow), conduct an investigation and come to the realisation that the subject of Bailey's research could be the mystery woman. They start an investigation that leads them to discover dramatic events involving illicit relations. Together they piece together the story of a forbidden love affair, and discover one of their own.

The story is universal and understandable. It is coupled with good dialogue, beautiful scenery, and believable performances. If you want a love story full of pure passion, this is for you, but note there is in fact little sex and no nudity at all on show.