Obsessed parents guide

Obsessed Parent Guide

While it is unlikely any actor could have done much with this script, the most that can be made out of this stalker tale is a lesson on how not to handle workplace sexual harassment.

Overall C-

When a beautiful blonde (Ali Larter) shows up at the office to fill a temporary vacancy, Derek Charles (Idris Elba) sees no harm in exchanging a few minutes of flirtatious conversation. But before he knows what is happening, the woman begins stalking him. Worse yet, her obsessed behavior soon has Derek's wife (Beyonce Knowles) wondering if he has adulterous intentions.

Release date April 24, 2009

Violence C+
Sexual Content C+
Profanity C
Substance Use C-

Why is Obsessed rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Obsessed PG-13 for sexual material including some suggestive dialogue, some violence and thematic content.

Run Time: 108 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

Every now and again we see movies with stupid crooks, dumb parents or dysfunctional families. But if there were an Academy Award for a cast of characters with the lowest average IQ, Obsessed would certainly take home the hardware.

The protagonist, Derek (Idris Elba), is introduced in the opening frames of the film as he and his wife Sharon (Beyoncé Knowles) pull up the For Sale sign on their new home in a Los Angeles suburb. Along with their young child, the happy family looks blissfully thrilled in their new nest.

At work later that same day, Derek shares an elevator ride with “The Blonde.” Lisa (Ali Larter) delightedly announces her position as the office temp, while daintily dropping papers around her stilettos. But before long, she’s sobbing in the lunchroom over a dumped boyfriend. When the company Christmas party comes, she throws herself at Derek in the men’s restroom. Then, two weeks later, she’s forcing herself into the front seat of his car and ripping her clothes off to show him her Victoria’s Secret collection.

“Of course,” as Bugs Bunny would say, “This means war.” Unfortunately, Derek isn’t as smart as that rascally rabbit. To his credit, he does firmly tell Lisa, through both verbal and physical actions, to leave him alone. And he in no way encourages her behavior. Yet for some reason he never mentions the sexually obsessed woman’s indecent proposals to his wife, the HR department, or anyone else.

Not surprisingly, this bombshell goes off when Lisa shows up at a company retreat, sneaks into Derek’s hotel room, and overdoses on a bottle of pills. When her unconscious and naked body is found in his bed (no nudity seen), the gig is up. Suddenly Derek has a lot of answering to do especially to his angry wife who tells him to pack his bags and leave.

The biggest question viewers will be muttering is “Why?” Why didn’t Derek tell someone? Did he really believe the problem would go away when she reassigned? Or when she moved to San Francisco? And after Sharon discovers Zombie Blonde has broken into their home and is sniffing her husband’s laundry, why doesn’t she make use of the shiny new panic button the couple had installed just days earlier? (I know, I know… if Sharon had called for help the screenwriters would have had to scrap the extended UFC-style catfight that makes up the final act…)

Parents with teens who are fans of Beyoncé and may be curious to see her performance, would do well to encourage them to save their money. While it is unlikely any actor could have done much with this script, the most that can be made out of this stalker tale is a lesson on how not to handle workplace sexual harassment.

Starring Beyonce Knowles, Idris Elba, Ali Larter. Running time: 108 minutes. Theatrical release April 24, 2009. Updated

Obsessed
Rating & Content Info

Why is Obsessed rated PG-13? Obsessed is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for sexual material including some suggestive dialogue, some violence and thematic content.

When a man is faced with a sexually obsessive female coworker, he finds himself looking increasingly guilty, even though he has overtly rejected her every move. Various scenes depict a woman making sexual advances toward a man, including unzipping his pants, taking her clothing off to reveal her underwear, and putting a drug into his drink. A suicide is attempted. In two scenes a married couple discusses having sex. Male employees frequently discuss the sexual appeal of women in the office. A gay man mentions his feelings toward another man in the office. Frequent social drinking is depicted, sometimes to the point of inebriation. A single scatological expletive, various mild profanities, and approximately 10 religious terms (including a single Christian term of deity) are heard.

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Obsessed Parents' Guide

What steps could Derek have taken to minimize the damage done by Lisa? How are we often lured into thinking situations aren’t as serious as they truly are? What were the first warning signs that Lisa might be a problem?

In one scene in this film, Lisa is distress so Derek extends verbal kindness and sympathy toward her. What might have been a more appropriate way for him to handle this conversation? How have our worries about sexual impropriety in the workplace changed the way we deal with others? Do you feel these concerns are valid, or an over reaction?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Obsessed movie is August 4, 2009. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes: Obsessed

Release Date: 4 August 2009

Obsessed stalks the home video market in both a DVD and Blu-ray release. Both versions offer three Behind-the-Scenes featurettes (Dressed to Kill, Playing Together Nicely and Girl Fight!). The Blu-ray disc is BD-Live enabled and includes a digital copy of the movie.

Related home video titles:

In Charade another wife is left wondering about her husband’s intentions after his death begins to reveal he was leading a double life

Fans of Beyoncé Knowles can look for the singer-turned-actor in the movies The Pink Panther and Dreamgirls.