Review of A Dangerous Method (2011) by Vincent L — 29 Jun 2013
As a huge David Cronenberg fan, it saddens me to report that A DANGEROUS METHOD is one of his weakest films. Lacking any subtext, this is 90 minutes of uninteresting talking heads. How does one take three such extraordinary people and make them so dull? Many ways: tepid, lifeless direction (how can this be?); a script that explains everything (isn't this a film?); musical arrangements of Wagner no less that sound like adult contemporary radio (from the brilliant Howard Shore); and lastly, Michael Fassbender who may just be a sleep.
Is Fassbender able to show any depth, ever? Certainly not here. Knightley and especially Mortensen, are superb thankfully. Overall, I couldn't help asking who is this film for? If you know the history of psychoanalysis, Freud, and Jung, A DANGEROUS METHOD is too superficial.
If you don't know them, this film will not entice you to learn more. Sad to report, after several years away from directing David Cronenberg has created a middlebrow entertainment.
This review of A Dangerous Method (2011) was written by Vincent L on 29 Jun 2013.
A Dangerous Method has generally received positive reviews.
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