Ossessione is generally seen as the first Italian neorealist film. And not just that, it's also considered to be one of its best. I can see why: celebrated director Visconti delivers a well shot, scripted film with some impressive blocking / mise en scene. I particularly love the shot where Girotti first enters the cafe, later clearly copied by Leone for Jills entrance in Sweetwater. The acting by the two leads is superb: you can feel the obsession they feel in the way they look at each other. It's not my favorite Italian neorealist film though. I personally prefer Rome Open City and Bicycle Thieves. Although Ossessione is more of a neorealist film than those other two, the typical Italian melodramatic aspect (which I love) is less present in Ossessione and therefore makes it a somewhat more exhausting and less enjoyable watch.
Review of Obsession
