A Dangerous Method (2011)

Genre: Historical

Directed by: David Cronenberg

Starring: Keira Knightley, Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender

Running time: 99 minutes

This 2011 historical film covers the relationship between Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud and Sabina Spielrein. The movie starts when Ms. Spielrein is brought into a psychiatric hospital, in Zurich, for a case of hysteria. Through analysis, young doctor Carl Jung comes to realize that the young lady is feeling that way because of the corporal punishment administered to her by her father as a kid. Her humiliation comes from the fact that she felt aroused whenever it occurred. Jung seeks the help of fellow doctor, Freud, in treating his new patient, but the two don’t agree on the way to get there, and the young woman will play one against the other to get her way.

This movie brings to the screen a very compelling story about the power of taboos and sex on the human mind. The conflict between Jung and Freud is particularly well played-out. Freud believes sex is the underlying factor in everything, but Jung likes to think there is more to it, and would like to delve more into the issues of spirituality. Fassbender and Mortensen do a superb job working off each other as the tension builds between the two doctors. They have some very good scenes together.

Keira Knightley also shows some great intensity as a young woman trying to learn how to control her emotions towards her burgeoning sexuality. She looked totally invested into this role and it paid off in the end.

A Dangerous Method is a riveting and compelling movie. Highly recommended.

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