Review of A Dangerous Method (2011) by Michael J. W — 24 Mar 2012
A Dangerous Method (2011).
Directed by the Great David Cronenberg.
Starring: Michael "My Most Favorite Actor of All Time Now" Fassbender, Vigo Mortensen, Keirra Knightley, and Vincent Cassel.
As dramas go...this is one of the best to come out of 2011. Its wistfully accurate to certain of the theories and aspects of Freud and Jung, while omitting some of the madness and macabre of each other's lives. That little spit being spat...let's move on with some praise. The acting is amazing, but then a bit over the top at times. The depth of the script, story, and direction made this one of the easiest "double dippers" that I've seen of the year and my most favorite Cronenberg flick to date.
The film centers on the life and love of Dr. Carl Jung (portrayed by Michael "My Most Favorite Actor of All Time Now" Fassbender) and one of his more famous and infamous patients Sabina Spierlin (Keirra Knightley) a devasted sexual addict who believes that punishment is the only pill for her ailments.
Their relationship ends up as a pretty nasty one at the end of the day. She basically makes and breaks Jung on every level humanly and professionally possible with her "disease" alone. No doubt, it's a miracle to watch. Not to spoil the film...but the best moment of the entire reel comes down to Jung in tears on his hands and knees begging Sabina not to leave him. It's a goodin!!!
The store gets more complicated when admirer meets the admired...this coming in the form of Jung traveling to Vienna to meet with his mentor and father figure Dr Sigmund Freud (Viggo Mortensen). It needs not be needled again...but DAMN! The performances are astonishing. Viggo really put his all into this role...he's almost indistinguishable as Freud.
The congregate and compose and continue on so as friends and collaborators for years until...you guessed it: Sabina comes into the play. Both men are split apart over the differences of their opinions and the fact that Jung feels he has surpassed Freud.
Now that's all I'm going to say...I'll go no farther and spoil no farther other than to say that this movie deserved a wider gaze in the cinema.
I loved it 100% and more.
That being said...its an extensive psychoanalysists wet dream of a film.
This review of A Dangerous Method (2011) was written by Michael J. W on 24 Mar 2012.
A Dangerous Method has generally received positive reviews.
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