Diamond Skulls (Dark Obsession) (1990)

36% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
38% of users liked it
(57 ratings)

Dark Obsession is a slow, English-made, psychological thriller dealing with erotic obsession, guilt and betrayal. Sir Hugo Buckton (Gabriel Byrne), an aristocrat strapped for money, is married to beautiful, sensual and successful Virginia (Amanda Donohoe). His alcoholism and his envy of her lead to… More Dark Obsession is a slow, English-made, psychological thriller dealing with erotic obsession, guilt and betrayal. Sir Hugo Buckton (Gabriel Byrne), an aristocrat strapped for money, is married to beautiful, sensual and successful Virginia (Amanda Donohoe). His alcoholism and his envy of her lead to his obsessive jealousy and belief in her lack of fidelity. During one drunken evening while out driving with friends, Hugo hits and kills a pedestrian who resembles Virginia. When Hugo begins to receive vague blackmail letters, he suspects one of his friends, and the group begins to plot a murder. Dark Obsession has all the ingredients of a first-rate thriller but fails despite its excellent cast to generate any excitement. The pace of the film is languid, the motivations of the characters are unclear, and after the accidental death, nothing much really happens. Dark Obsession, originally released as Diamond Skulls, despite the best efforts of its cast, is a thriller that fails to thrill. ~ Linda Rasmussen, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Nick Broomfield
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Jun 17, 1991 Wide
On DVD: Nov 7, 1991

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
A stylish melodrama about sex and violence among the British aristocracy, Diamond Skulls never quite delivers the punches it promises.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Rarely does a documentary film maker make the transition to fiction as adroitly as Nicholas Broomfield has in "Dark Obsession," a psychological thriller displaying a documentarian's fascination for small, telling details.
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
Intended as a psycho-thriller, Broomfield's film is in fact a skimpily plotted rumination on what's rank among the privileged.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
[Broomfield] wants to show us how the very fabric of the lives of these aristocrats has undercut their human perspective, has convinced them they are above and beyond the law.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
[It] attempts to make a serious social statement within the context of a mainstream entertainment. But the mix never gels, and it succeeds as neither.
Angie Errigo, Empire Magazine
Estranging and frustrating.
, Time Out
The controlled technique echoes the theme of domination, but combined with the largely unsympathetic characters, results in a film that affects emotion and remains curiously hollow.
Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
Dark Obsession is visually alluring to look at and rife with potential but director Broomfield never seems to bring it to any dramatic boiling point. Like many an obsession, it's all dressed up with nowhere to go.

Read all 8 critic reviews

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Cast

            Gabriel Byrne as Sir Hugo Buckton

            Amanda Donohoe as Ginny

            Michael Hordern as Lord Crewne

            Judy Parfitt as Lady Crewne

            Douglas Hodge as Jamie

            Sadie Frost as Rebecca

            Struan Rodger as Peter

            Ian Carmichael as Exeter

            Clare Anderson
            
            Jerry Baker
            
            Jay Benedict as Joe Dimandino

            Emma Boulting
            
            Edward Burnham as John the Gardener

            Karin Charlesworth
            
            Michael Clark
            
            Alexander Clempson as Edward

            Mandy Curzon
            
            David Delve as Alec

            Tracey Eddon
            
            Patrick Field as Detective

            Noel Hawkins
            
            Phyllida Hewat as Lady Castlemere

            William Hoyland as Inspector Orchard

            Mandy Lee James
            
            Eiji Kusuhara as Ewo Nagasaky

            Catherine Livesey as Nanny

            Ned Lynch
            
            Matthew Marsh as Raul

            Paul Merick
            
            Kristina Overton
            
            Bev Ramsden
            
            Peter Sands as Colonel

            Robin Summers as Detective

            Lucy Boulting
            
            Ralph Brown as Jack

            Peter Allen
            
See full cast

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