Magnificent Obsession

1954

Magnificent Obsession

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

87%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 23

71%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 1,091
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Magnificent Obsession Photos

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Movie Info

In this film version of Lloyd C. Douglas' spiritual novel, Rock Hudson plays a reckless playboy who is indirectly responsible for the death of a kindly doctor. The dead man's wife, Jane Wyman, refuses to accept Hudson's apologies. When Wyman is blinded, Hudson decides to "do right" by her anonymously.

Cast

Rock Hudson
as Bob Merrick
Jane Wyman
as Helen Phillips
Barbara Rush
as Joyce Phillips
Agnes Moorehead
as Nancy Ashford
Otto Kruger
as Rudolph
Gregg Palmer
as Tom Masterson
Sara Shane
as Valerie
Paul Cavanagh
as Dr. Giraud
Judy Nugent
as Judy
George Lynn
as Williams
Richard Cutting
as Dr. Dodge
Richard H. Cutting
as Dr. Dodge
Will J. White
as Sgt. Ames
Helen Kleeb
as Mrs. Eden
Rudolph Anders
as Dr. Fuss
Fred Nurney
as Dr. Laradetti
John Mylong
as Dr. Hofer
Jack Kelly
as First Mechanic
Lisa Gaye
as Switchboard Girl
William Leslie
as Customer
Lance Fuller
as Customer
Brad Johnson
as Customer
Myrna Hansen
as Customer
Alexander Campbell
as Dr. Allan
Joseph Mell
as Dan
Harold Dyrenforth
as Mr. Jouvet
Norbert Schiller
as Mr. Long
Mae Clarke
as Mrs. Miller
Kathleen O'Malley
as Switchboard Girl
Joy Hallward
as Maid
Lee Roberts
as Second Mechanic
Harvey Grant
as Chris
Robert B. Williams
as Sgt. Burnham
Lucille Lamarr
as Nurse
Gail Bonney
as Phyllis
Lucille Lamar
as Nurse
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Critic Reviews for Magnificent Obsession

All Critics (23) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (20) | Rotten (3)

  • ...a fairly outrageous premise that's employed to predictably melodramatic effect by Sirk...

    January 21, 2020 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    David Nusair

    Reel Film Reviews
    Top Critic

  • No use arguing about this one; every customer evidently considers it either a profound inspirational drama or a rather maudlin soap opera about the golden rule. My own view leans to the latter persuasion...

    November 11, 2019 | Full Review…

    Clyde Gilmour

    Maclean's Magazine
    Top Critic

  • Jane Wyman earned a Best Actress Oscar nomination, but it's really Rock Hudson (in a star-making performance) who dominates the film.

    August 24, 2019 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Matt Brunson

    Film Frenzy
    Top Critic

  • Every step depends on stifled emotions and closely guarded secrets, resulting in a buildup of operatic passion that endows everyday gestures and inflections with grandeur and nobility.

    June 1, 2015 | Full Review…

    Richard Brody

    New Yorker
    Top Critic

  • A film requiring as many Kleenex as you can spare, this unabashed appeal to the tear ducts does not fail in its efforts.

    April 30, 2012 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…
    TV Guide
    Top Critic

  • [Sirk provides] a coolly formal approach to otherwise unwieldy projects.

    April 30, 2012 | Full Review…

    Don Druker

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (23)

Audience Reviews for Magnificent Obsession

  • Dec 11, 2013
    Sirk was an expert at the melodramatic and I had the wonderful opportunity to see this on the big screen. There is cheesiness in some parts but it is sweeping in its camera angles and its charms.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Aug 05, 2009
    This is a wonderful movie of the fifties, with a cast of stars that in today?s film world would be unheard off. The budget to get these stars together today would make anyone faint. Rock Hudson, Jane Wyman, and Agnes Moorehead. I grew up thinking Agnes Moorehead was a witches mother and she looked like one on Bewitched. But in this movie as in others from the fifties she proved to be a glorious actress. Rock Hudson plays the part of a young Millionaire with not a care in the world till his life is save at the expense of another?s. He then falls in love with the wife of the man who dies, and the only way to win her is losing his spoiled ways and obtaining a Magnificent Obsession. How can any film the Rock appear in be awarded anything less the 4 stars.
    Bruce B Super Reviewer
  • Feb 01, 2009
    Expressive colours, Incredible emotions, dramatic twists. Not only is this film just beautifully shot but running through all this glamor is (biting?) social commentary. Plus Jane Wyman is one of the few people that really are cute and a button and Agnes Moorehead brings he engrossing presence too.
    Patrick D Super Reviewer
  • Jan 24, 2009
    I wouldn't call Magnificent Obsession Douglas Sirk's best movie but it's still good. Like any other Sirk movie, it's pungent with melodrama and you'll often ask yourself if people really talk like this, even in the 50s. But the exaggerated imagery (again, like any other Sirk movie) is so gorgeous you find its shortcomings easy to forgive.
    Michael G Super Reviewer
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