Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

The Possession of Joel Delaney Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Justin Dekker October 20, 2024

Based on the 1970 novel by Ramona Stewart, 'The Possession of Joel Delaney' arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Imprint and is limited to 2000 copies. The film stars cinema legend Shirley MacLaine as Norah Benson, a young mother who is concerned that her brother, Joel Delaney's (Perry King), recent aberrant behavior may have its roots in something far more sinister than drug use or mental illness. Housed in a slipbox that features original poster art, the release comes outfitted with a host of newly created supplemental material, including a commentary track and an interview with actor Perry King. An archival feature devoted to Shirley MacLaine and a trailer round out the disc. Neither a DVD nor a Digital Code are included. (Please note: while listed as a Region B release, the disc is playable on Region A players.)

By the time that 1972's The Possession of Joel Delany was released, Shirley MacLaine's career was well under way. She already had more than twenty film roles under her belt by that point (her first was in Alfred Hitchcock's The Trouble with Harry (1955)), and most recently included star turns in Sweet Charity (1969) and alongside Clint Eastwood in the classic Two Mules for Sister Sara (1970) which boasts an incredible score by Ennio Morricone. In those films in particular, MacLaine demonstrated she had considerable range and presence, and formidable comedic skills as well. In those roles she was able to play more broadly, cutting loose when when the scene called for it, and reigning her performance in when discretion and subtlety was required. Interestingly, as divergent as those two roles were - dancer Charity Hope Valentine and Sister Sara - both were vivacious, energetic, irrepressible, and undeniably sexy. But those roles are also both a bit outlandish - the dancer longing for a more "normal" life away from her career, and nun helping a mercenary against the backdrop of war in Mexico. So it is rather refreshing to observe MacLaine tackle a role that is more mundane and relatable. Well, sort of relatable.

MacLaine's Norah Benson is a single mother living in New York City. As her former husband was a doctor, she is a person of some means and she and her two children reside in comfortable, upscale accommodations with a small household staff. While she and her brother, the titular Joel Delaney, are not without financial resources of their own, he opts to live a much simpler life in a rough apartment in Spanish Harlem. While MacLaine's Benson is rather uptight, staid, and proper, King's Delaney is clearly more adventurous and enjoys an active nightlife and all the trappings of the era that were associated with it. Though inhabitants of the same city and from the same family, they are worlds apart. In the window of time shortly before and after Joel's birthday, his behavior grows erratic. He has episodes where he becomes verbally abusive and physically threatening, and he begins speaking fluent Spanish. After these pass, he professes to have no recollection of them, nor does he claim to know Spanish. But after a woman close to Joel is found murdered in a manner consistent with a missing and thought to be deceased serial killer and Joel's behavior around her and her children grows more alarming, Norah begins to consider causes that lie beyond conventional science and modern medicine.

The Possession of Joel Delaney is a slow-burn. As many of Joel's early outbursts are either seen very briefly, happen offscreen, or are only witnessed in their (alleged) aftermath, it is up to MacLaine to show the audience, through her reactions and behavior, the magnitude of changes in Joel's behavior and personality. It's a task for which she is more than an equal. In the early goings, she is more than willing to dismiss atypical behavior, encouraging her brother to tell the doctors his actions were simply a result of taking LSD. Displaying her "modern" sensibilities and fear for the "other", she also looks to blame his current neighborhood living conditions and, to a lesser extent, how he spends his evenings, taking a moment at one point to pass her judgment on him as she intones that he doesn't need to live like this. Her solution? Bring him to live with her and her two pre-teen children their upper-class white world.

Once safely ensconced in his new digs under his sister's watchful eye, his behavior gradually changes for the worse. This shift takes a toll on her and registers in her highly emotive face and how she carries herself in general. The interaction between his behavior and her concern impacts how she stands, how she carries herself when she moves, her smile (which becomes more and more nervous), and is increasingly seen in her eyes. The "bigness" of her performances in Sweet Charity and Two Mules for Sister Sara are quickly forgotten as MacLaine demonstrates exactly how much she can convey without ever saying a word. It's a simple glance here, a hurried movement there. Her terror grows without a shriek, a tear, or the need to madly pull at handfuls of her hair. By the time the final act arrives, the ability to equivocate or excuse is gone. While she still clearly holds hope for her brother and a solution to the issue that plagues him, her first concern is, appropriately, for her children. She's ever the modern maternal figure until the very end, as disconnected as she may be.

One of the things that sets the film apart is the ambiguousness of its events. Though the suggestion and backdrop of the supernatural is there, it's never truly proven beyond a shadow of a doubt one way or another. Much is open for interpretation and the lens through which the viewer sees the film and is thus informed by their experiences. A room full of viewers could be divided in their opinions and even an individual could see their perception of the film's events changing from viewing to viewing. This is dramatically different from films such as The Exorcist where possession by a supernatural entity is definitively proven and repeatedly demonstrated. There are a few certainties in The Possession of Joel Delaney, however. Something is wrong with Joel, that much is certain. Is it a mental health issue, a drug problem, something supernatural, or just the build-up choices he's made in his life? That's left to the viewer to decide. As it pertains to Norah, it's clear that she doesn't know her brother as well as she thinks, and she exacerbates the issue by removing Joel from a setting where he could potentially get some sort of help. Further, she puts herself and her family at risk by bringing him into her home and keeps him there once it's clear there is an issue she is completely incapable of handling. Whether it's her pride, desperation, a desire to do something good, her maternal instinct driven by their familial relationship, or something else entirely that drives her actions, it is her actions and hers alone that amplify the crisis and put lives at risk.

As an aside, being a lifelong Whovian, I'm always keeping an eye out for members of Doctor Who's cast and crew, so it was very exciting to note that this film was directed by Waris Hussein. Hussein has secured a place of paramount importance to the franchise by serving as the director of some of the series' earliest episodes, including the landmark first episode, "An Unearthly Child", in 1963. While largely known for his television work, this is one of a handful of films he directed, and it's every bit as moody and atmospheric as that inaugural episode of Doctor Who. Also, eagle-eyed fans are advised to keep an eye out for Pat Ast who appears in a small role.

The Possession of Joel Delaney Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in 1.78:1, the 1080p transfer of The Possession of Joel Delaney has a strong natural grain structure that for the most part resolves quite naturally and provides a very filmic look to the feature. There are moments, though, where it can be noisy. Skin tones are healthy throughout, though faces sometimes lack fine detail. Blacks can be satisfying and deep, but crush is an issue at times. Detail levels have the potential to be high, such as when Norah investigates Joel's apartment, but do not rival the transfers of more modern films or those that have undergone significant restoration. Colors appear nicely saturated for the most part with late 1960s and early 1970s fashions and hues on display throughout, which also means there are fewer instances for bright primaries to burst forth. The yellows in the patients' artwork at Bellevue and reds in the neon signs as MacLaine takes a late night cab ride through the city offer some of the best opportunities to enjoy bright primaries. White specks, and other minor elements of dirt, debris, and damage are also visible, as is the odd missing frame, and while such issues are fleeting they are present throughout the film. All of this is, of course, to say that though the image is not perfect, it is perfectly watchable, and while it is intermittently impressive, it is not consistently so. It's a solid but average transfer of a 54-year-old film.

The Possession of Joel Delaney Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Possession of Joel Delaney comes equipped with a serviceable English LPCM 2.0 Mono audio track. In solid, workman-like fashion the track handles dialogue well, rendering everything from a whisper to a scream with precision and clarity. It is always properly prioritized. Sound effects are also reproduced well enough, though the absence of any real measurable bass can make them sound a bit thin to modern ears. The same is true for the brief moments where music shines through. The mid-range and treble elements sound quite good, but again, bass support is lacking.

The Possession of Joel Delaney Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Imprint's release comes in an attractive slipbox that features original poster art on the front and a still of star Shirley MacLaine on the reverse. The case sports a different cover image that conjures and reinforces the supernatural elements on which the film focuses, while the back is purely text- heavy. The inner print captures Perry King's Joel Delaney as he looks out the window in his therapist's office at the New York City skyline. A considerable amount of on-disc material is included as well.

• Audio Commentary with film historian Lee Gambin (2012) - Gambin clearly has an affection for the film and is - based on how his thoughts are organized, the speed at which he speaks, and the occasional quiet moments as he waits for the film to catch up to him - either working from a script or highly detailed notes. It can be a bit tough to keep up at times as he shifts from topic to topic, taking time for the occasional deep dive, but there is a wealth of information being shared.

• Fashionably Possessed: The Art of Frank L. Thompson - Video essay by costume historian Elissa Rose (2021) (15.58) - Rose walks us through Thompson's career, which spanned from Broadway to television to film. Special attention is given to MacLaine's lavish wardrobe, 70s fashion, how Joel's condition is indicated/mirrored by his costuming, and the Santeria ritual.

• There is a Common Sorrow Here - Video essay by film historian Chris O'Neill (2021) (25.22) - O'Neill examines Joel's character and how the possession is depicted, which, as she states, leaves what is actually happening to him as grey or open to interpretation.

• Being Joel Delaney - Interview with actor Perry King (2021) (35.30) - In this wide-ranging piece, King talks about the audition process, his remembrances of working with Shirley MacLaine, his method of preparing for a role, his thoughts on the film, and many other topics.

• Shirley MacLaine, Kicking Up Her Heels - Documentary (1994) (51.06) - MacLaine and a host of Hollywood's best actors weigh in on MacLaine's life and acting legacy. MacLaine speaks about her childhood with her brother Warren, learning to dance, and the beginnings of her acting career, including a pivotal early role in Bob Fosse's The Pajama Game, which would open the door to her film career. The remainder of the feature works its way through her career and life, and near the end MacLaine quips, "Life is what happens to you when you've made other plans".

• Theatrical Trailer (2.58)

The Possession of Joel Delaney Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Never quite as shocking or outlandish as other supernatural or possession-related films of the era, The Possession of Joel Delaney opts to put the bulk of its focus on MacLaine's Norah Benson and her slow descent into terror as a result of alleged/potential supernatural forces acting on her brother. Her performance is largely understated and subtle, and while gripping in its own right, will likely not be sufficient to hold the interest of those coming to the film looking for the types of supernatural thrills, sights, and scares its name would imply, never being remotely as graphic and boundary- pushing as The Exorcist (1973) or The Omen (1976). However, for those looking for a different kind of "possession" film that requires quite a bit more thought and consideration, The Possession of Joel Delaney is ripe for rediscovery and repeat viewing. Loaded with substantive supplemental material, fans of MacLaine and supernatural thrillers will want to give this a look as long as technical expectations are held in check. Recommended.