Mini Review
A Dangerous Method is based on a play - The Talking Cure- which in turn is based on the book A Most Dangerous Method, about the intense and intertwining relationships of Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender), Sigmund Freud (Viggo Mortensen) and Sabina Spielrein (Keira Knightley) from which the creation of psychoanalysis was borne.
I probably wouldn't have seen this if A) one of my friends didn't have a huge crush on Viggo Mortensen and B) if that same friend didn't have access to a local independent cinema that was showing the film as we missed it on it's initial nationwide release.
A Dangerous Method is not a film for the faint hearted, not because it's gory but because the subject matter could be quite hard for some people to watch. Essentially this is a film about dealing with your inner demons. The ways in which some of the characters do this - bondage and spanking - will not be everyone's cup of tea. But the film also has a lot to say on the subject of psychoanalysis and therapy, which my friend happens to be studying, so it was a very useful film from her point of view.
I found the story interesting, the characters fascinating and the acting from all concerned to be praiseworthy. Knightley takes a little while to convince, both in accent and character but once you've gotten over the initial shock that she's not playing her usual English rose you do start to warm to her. Of the two male leads Fassbender has the more juicy role but Mortensen's Freud really needs to be seen to be believed.
A thought provoking film that gives an insightful look into the lives of these legends. 7.5 out of 10.
Viewing Date - 2nd April 2012
UK Release Date - 10th February 2012
Cast Overview:
Keira Knightley ~ Sabina Spielrein
Viggo Mortensen ~ Sigmund Freud
Michael Fassbender ~ Carl Jung
Vincent Cassel ~ Otto Gross
Sarah Gadon ~ Emma Jung
Director ~ David Cronenberg
Writer(s) ~ Christopher Hampton (Screenplay and Play - The Talking Cure) and John Kerr (Book - A Most Dangerous Method)
mmmm.
ReplyDeleteI think there is a sub-text here.
Behind the words.
Tell me ....About the Hulk.
You really want me to tell you about the Hulk or you want to wait for the review? It's coming! Promise!
ReplyDeleteIt's a spoof of the whole "Tell me about your mother?" thing
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI know. I was kidding! Btw, are you saying that our mother is likened to the Hulk? ;0D
ReplyDelete