A Dangerous Method

I would gladly play with Miss Spielrein and smoke a cigar with Freud, but I’d rather sit down by Lake Zurich than take a part in his long-winded dialogues with the malleable and indecisive Jung. Viggo Mortensen is great and the visual esthetics delicious, but there are no emotions. A film where mainstream stars recite phrases only a few viewers will understand. Compared to this, Polanski’s Bitter Moon was far more poetic and passionate in its testimony about the dark corners of human sexuality. (02/26/2012)

A superb Cronenberg exercise in conversation. The onerous theme of psychology and sexuality is supported by excellent acting performances. Keira’s transformations are brilliant and both Fassbender and Mortensen (constantly chewing that cigar) enjoy their dialog sequences. Detachment and cold comments on the issue is appropriate for scientific research and the even the very smallest expression of emotion is punished by the destruction of the afflicted characters. (02/26/2012)

David Cronenberg is known for delving into human sexuality in his films, but here he takes a more intellectual approach, focusing on the psychological aspects rather than the explicit details seen in his earlier works. I’ve never been particularly interested in Freud or Jung, so I’m not deeply familiar with their work or legacy. Thus, I have to trust Cronenberg’s portrayal of these two iconic figures. The subject matter is fascinating, but it required my full attention to avoid missing anything. The film is dialogue-heavy, and the conversations are often conducted in complex, technical language, making it easy to get a bit lost at times. I was absolutely captivated by the directorial precision, beautiful interiors, and the stunning settings. Visually, the film is incredibly impressive, showcasing Cronenberg’s top-tier craftsmanship. The acting is also top-notch. Michael Fassbender proves once again that he’s one of the best actors of his generation, and Keira Knightley and Viggo Mortensen deliver brilliant performances as well. Despite all these positives, A Dangerous Method remains a somewhat challenging film for me. If I had a deeper interest in psychoanalysis and analytical psychology, I’m sure I’d appreciate it much more. As it stands, it’s a high-quality film that broadened my knowledge, but it didn’t profoundly impact or resonate with me. (05/18/2018)

I would expect some wild in the form of decapitated heads or at least explicit sexual creations from David Cronenberg, but there is nothing like that in this film. Well, there is a certain effort towards the latter, but it's more of an artistic walk around it rather than something happening. So, as viewers, we're left with nothing else but to rely on the superb performances, the sensitive film aesthetics, the excellent period setting, and exceptionally well-handled psychology, skillfully transferred onto the big screen. When philosophical debates don't come across as boring or complicated, but quite the opposite, and they even have some pretty excellent points. It's just that the whole thing feels a bit cold and too overly contrived. (12/15/2013)

Cronenberg gives a brief insight into the core ideas of Freud and his pupil Jung in an audience-friendly and simple form, which is a rare and welcome gift compared to complexly worded lectures on psychoanalysis or literary scholarly attempts to interpret their work. Yet, thanks to the breathtaking performances of all three leading characters and the masterfully written dialogues that often provide a hidden point, I find Cronenberg's film also attractive for the audience. (02/06/2012)