Review of Hysteria (2011) by Reuben M — 23 Mar 2013

HYSTERIA is a very light-weight and somewhat charming and humorous look at the development of the vibrator. Just to be clear right from the start, although the movie is Rate R, there is no nudity and very little sexuality. This movie barely rises to the level of titillating, much less erotic. And to be fair, it is not TRYING to do this.

Set in London in 1880, we're introduced to a very backwards medical society, where germs are still a "crazy theory." And most women's problems, whether true mental health issues or simply general dissatisfaction (sexual or otherwise) are chalked up to a diagnosis of Hysteria. We're introduced to a clinic, run by Jonathan Pryce, which is devoted to a cure for hysteria that involves the manual stimulation of women. The women who can afford this treatment are eagerly lining up for it...they are essentially paying to receive stimulation they are not receiving from their husbands. Remember, this is a time when the idea of a woman being aroused without direct input from their husbands is not believed. Women are subject to "hysteria" not sexual frustration.

Into this scene comes a charming young doctor (Hugh Dancy) whose good looks make the hysteria clinic even more popular. And Dancy is introduced to Pryce's two daughters: the seemingly proper and demur Felicity Jones and the rambunctious but charitable Maggie Gyllenhaal. Not surprisingly in the least, he courts Jones but is drawn to Gyllenhaal.

Poor Dr. Dancy begins to suffer from carpel tunnel with all the work he's doing with his wrist. But he happens to be close friends with Rupert Everett, a rich guy with time to tinker with inventions. The two men turn Everett's electric feather-duster into an electric stimulator. From this invention, more plot complexities develop, which I shall not spoil.

The movie's tone is that of light comedy, and the comedy is indeed light. There are very few laugh out loud moments...this is a movie that generates smiles. It is certainly harmless and good-natured. The introduction of this new invention and the subsequent developments are certainly amusing. On the other hand, we make no investment in the romance of the movie or even in the few moments of drama. There is no heft to this film, no lasting impact. It's a nice way to pass 99 minutes, and it's well designed, decorated and costumed.

None of the actors are at their best either, because no one is asked to really do anything significant. Dancy is generically charming and befuddled. Pryce pretty much plays the character he's always asked to. The two ladies are quite generic, because the script doesn't give them anything truly meaty to work with. Gyllenhaal has lots of energy, but it often feels unsupported by circumstance...such as the scene where we first meet her raving around her father's waiting room. She comes across like a crazy person with no propriety, rather than a passionate young lady with strong beliefs. Most amusing in this film is Everett, who gets far too little work these days. This role more or less reminded me of his existence, and he is so droll and funny that I yearn to see him in a meatier role again.

HYSTERIA is amusing and thus, warrants a most modest recommendation. But after writing this review, I will probably virtually forget all about it. Certainly, don't let the subject matter fool you into thinking you're about to see something daring...far from it. You couldn't ask for a more harmless movie about the invention of the vibrator.