Posession

Released: 2002
Romantic Drama
Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Aaron Eckhart, Jeremy Northam
Director: Neil LaBute
Running Time: 102 minutes
Rated PG-13

The breakdown: 2 people who love literature stumble upon a secret of two old Victorian poets that fell in love and had a long private affair. 

Alright so this american is trying to make a name for himself in the British world of Literary academics, but is finding it elusive.  He finds a letter tucked inside a book that no one has ever really paid any attention to.  He realizes this Victorian poet was writing letters to someone who was not his wife.  It was another poet.  He starts tracking down very old leads and needs the help of another British lit expert.  They start researching together and discover they like each other as well.  They are also racing against another expert who notices that they are onto something and he wants to get the credit of the discovery over them.  It adds only a minor sense of urgency to the movie.
I have to say the romance between the modern couple is a bit boring and trite.  The romance of the old Victorian poets is a lot more interesting, granted that one of them is cheating on his wife, the other lover is cheating on her lesbian lover.  This movie could've been a lot more passionate, and only catches a small fire here and there before the good stuff is over.  It was an okay movie and better than I imagined, but not enough for me to really love it or remember it.  I'm luke warm about it if you want to see it.

I give it 3 out of 5 ticket stubs for some interesting love scenes from the past, but a boring modern couple.