Review of Mesmer (1994) by Katherine L — 09 Jan 2007
[b][color=SandyBrown]And so I bring you Mesmer, with ...yep, Alan Rickman and ...uhm ...no idea, sorry. I remember the girl/woman from other films and her last name is something like Ooms but, dont know.
Why? Because Alan Rickman with long, blond highlighted (yes, his natural color is light brown) hair and those devestating hazel eyes portraying Franz Anton Mesmer is ...WoW.
Is it a great movie, well ...no, not really. Could it have been? Yes. Had it only been longer it would have been fabulous, as it is, the plot moves too fast and the viewer ends of lost and not quite sure what is happening.
Mesmer is a real person, who in the 18th century posited the idea of 'animal magnetism' which in those times did not mean what it means now. Basically it's a form of hypnottherapy and psychaitry mixed with a sort of new wave aura healing power he believed he possessed.
You can imagine the acceptence of this idea in the 18th century (when they still burned witches, thanks) was nonexistant. They considered Mesmer a chalatan and had him thrown out of Vienna wher he lived with his rich, widow wife.
According to history, this next bit didn't happen. He starts treating a blind woman (that did happen) who he believes is blind not because there is anything wrong with her eyes, but because she does not want to see. He's right, and through his treatments, she does actually see and they fall in love (naturally) ...that's the bit that is not true. According to history his attempt to cure her failed and that is what led to him being tossed out of Vienna, however, it does make it more dramatic.
It's not a bad movie, I kept watching which I won't if its really boring, Mesmer is a fascinating subject part psychic, part healer and way ahead of his time. Hell, I'd watch it again just to look at Rickman who really should have been born in the 1700's just to wear the clothes. At any rate, I'd get the video, since this came out in 1994 it's probably only .99 anyway. If you can find it. Good luck.
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This review of Mesmer (1994) was written by Katherine L on 09 Jan 2007.
Mesmer has generally received mixed reviews.
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