Review of A Dangerous Method (2011) by Iain B — 22 Apr 2012

What is love? A Dangerous Method defies what I think of love, seemingly showing that sex is love. Good acting cannot save A Dangerous Method from its weak justification of love and romance.

A Dangerous Method centers on Carl Jung, played by Michael Fassbender in his young years when he was an up and coming psychologist. The main focus of the film is his relationship with Sabrina Spielrein, played by Keira Knightley, one of his patients. Through therapy, Jung learns about Spielrein's past where she was physically abused by her father and that she actually enjoyed this. Even though Jung has a wife, he becomes romantically entangled with Spielrein and constantly has sex with her and abuses her in a way that she enjoys.

The main flaw of A Dangerous Method is that the romance that develops between Jung and Spielrein is never explained. There was no path leading up to this love. Maybe Jung was fascinated with her or something. In any case, love in this film is defined as sex. If the screenplay had maybe developed on this relationship more, A Dangerous Method would turn out much more engaging and believable.

Besides its major flaw, A Dangerous Method has terrific acting. Keira Knightley does a good job, if only a little bit overacted. Her Russian accent sucks though. Michael Fassbender plays Carl Jung as he is meant to be played, constantly questioning everything that exists in life and never conforming to norms in psychology. Viggo Mortensen, who plays Sigmund Freud, might not look like Sigmund Freud at all, but he plays the part believably, always acting as if what he thinks is correct and everyone else is wrong.

Despite being flawed, A Dangerous Method is acted well, has beautiful scenery and settings, and spins an interesting story.