Three star

BASED on a novel by AS Byatt, Possession tells the story of a love affair between Victorian poets Randolph Henry Ash and Christabelle LaMott.

The affair is uncovered in the 21st century by American history scholar Roland Mitchell (Aaron Eckhart) and snooty British academic Maud Bailey (Gwyneth Paltrow) who discover numerous letters sent between the two poets.

The love affair was forbidden as Randolph was already married to a woman he loved dearly but who couldn't or wouldn't have physical relations with him and Christabelle had already chosen to spend her life in virtual solitude with her lesbian partner.

As the love letters reveal more about the passionate relationship between the poets, so we see one developing between Roland and Maud.

Their relationship is actually a low point in the film as it involves little more than a bit of light petting, closely followed by a minor estrangement, followed by some conciliatory light petting - tedious.

This is a watchable film, mostly, but one that moves at a snail's pace.

Any fans of old-fashioned love stories will adore this film and it should have the power to leave a warm, fluffy feeling in most people.

There are a few DVD extras, including a trailer and a commentary by the director, but they are not terribly interesting.

HC