A Dangerous Method
Director: David Cronenberg
Writer: Christopher Hampton
Based on: Christopher Hampton’s play, which is based on John Kerr’s book
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Keira Knightley, Viggo Mortensen, Vincent Cassel, Sarah Gadon

Plot:
Carl Gustav Jung (Michael Fassbender) is a young psychologist much in awe of Sigmund Freud‘s (Viggo Mortensen) work. When Jung gets a new patient, the young Sabina Spielrein (Keira Knightley), he starts a psychoanalysis with her and he also begins to correspond with Freud about the case. But Jung soon discovers his attraction to Spielrein (and vice versa) and when Otto Gross (Vincent Cassel) encourages him to give in, he can’t really resist.

A Dangerous Method is an almost perfect movie, interesting, not afraid of depth, but never gets too overbearing. Additionally, it has a good cast and it’s entertaining. Chapeau once again, Mr. Cronenberg.

Michael Fassbender really specialises in the roles that are actually assholes but somehow manage to not be at the same time. It’s his superpower and also Jung doesn’t escape this treatment. Viggo Mortensen basically pulls the same trick: Freud’s an ass, but an ass you would like to be your granddaddy (and I know that he’s too young to be my granddad, but these were the vibes he gave off). And Vincent Cassel really was the perfect choice to play the Rasputin-like Otto Gross.

With that cast opposite her, it is little surprising that Keira Knightley just wasn’t as good. It’s not that she was bad, but her performance was trying very hard and the character didn’t seem to come easy to her. I mean, part of it certainly was that Spielrein was a very tense character per se, but still.

But the cast wasn’t all that was good about the film. The script was excellent. Extremely intelligent and very informative, giving you a lot of input while not overwhelming you (or at least I can say that since I already knew a bit about psychoanalysis etc). But it’s really inspiring in a way and makes you want to read all about the historical development of psychoanalysis, including biographies of all the major players (any recommendations?).

It is generally incredible how much Cronenberg manages to pack into this film (that is only 90 minutes long but feels longer, in the best was a movie can feel longer) and have it look pretty and be entertaining and, to round it off perfectly, give it a very nice soundtrack.

Summarising: One of the great award contenders this year – and deservedly so.