Review by Gary Tooze

Production:

Disc:

Video:

Audio:

• The Making of A Dangerous Method (7:41 in 480i)

• Theatrical Trailer (1:56 in 1080P)

• Previews

Bitrate:

 

Description: Viggo Mortensen and Michael Fassbender star in director David Cronenberg's adaptation of Christopher Hampton's play detailing the deteriorating relationship between Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. The year is 1904. Carl Jung (Fassbender), a disciple of Sigmund Freud (Mortensen), is using Freudian techniques to treat Russian-Jewish psychiatric patient Sabina Spielrein (Keira Knightley) at Burghölzli Mental Hospital. But the deeper Jung's relationship with Spielrein grows, the further the burgeoning psychiatrist and his highly respected mentor drift apart. As Jung struggles to help his patient overcome some pressing paternal issues, disturbed patient Otto Gross (Vincent Cassel) sets out to test the boundaries of the doctor's professional resolve. A Dangerous Method screened at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival.

***

On the eve of World War I, Zurich and Vienna are the setting for a dark tale of sexual and intellectual discovery. Drawn from true-life events, A Dangerous Method takes a glimpse into the turbulent relationships between fledgling psychiatrist Carl Jung, his mentor Sigmund Freud and Sabina Spielrein, the troubled but beautiful young woman who comes between them. Into the mix comes Otto Gross, a debauched patient who is determined to push the boundaries.

In this exploration of sensuality, ambition and deceit set the scene for the pivotal moment when Jung, Freud and Sabina come together and split apart, forever changing the face of modern thought.

 

 

The Film:

Splits/doubles/twinning are all over the place in A Dangerous Method, which makes this a pure David Cronenberg film despite the level of violence being held down to bottom-thwacking and one neat cut delivered to Jung’s face. Cronenberg has always been preoccupied with what he calls the “Cartesian split” between mind and body; he’s a bit of a psychoanalyst himself. He brings his usual pensive rigor to the proceedings, with little flashes of perversity now and then. Most of the drama is the drama of ideas; we can almost hear angry swords clanging in a prideful comment from Freud and its politely dissenting rejoinder from Jung. The irony, not lost on Jung, is that Jung must kill his “father” — a key Freudian concept.

Excerpt from Rob Gonsalves at efilmcritic.com located HERE

 

Before it became known as psychoanalysis, the radical new method of dealing with emotional crises pioneered by Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung and others was known simply as "the talking cure." And it is talk — smart, satisfying and sometimes even thrilling — that is at the heart of "A Dangerous Method."

"Method" stars Viggo Mortensen as Freud, Michael Fassbender as Jung, and a game but somewhat miscast Keira Knightley as Sabina Spielrein, a woman who influenced them both. The confident directing style of David Cronenberg is essential in making this kind of intellectually stimulating cinema look easy, but the critical component in the film's success is Christopher Hampton's classically well-written script.

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Audio :

Fans always hope for a commentary by director David Cronenberg - which he did with many of his early films to DVD but they have not been as forthcoming of late. With A Dangerous Method we get one and he is his usually forthcoming self. He knows his topic from A-Z and supplies beneficial information in advancing an appreciation for the production. I was also keen on his lack of storyboard usage and his reasons behind it. There is also a standard 'The Making of A Dangerous Method' running under 8-minutes with sound bytes from many of the cast and the director. More appealing is the AFI Harold Lloyd Master Seminar with David Cronenberg running 1/2 an hour with the director expanding on some of his work. This is in HD as is a 2-minute theatrical trailer and the obligatory previews.

BOTTOM LINE:
This is a very interesting film but would be most appreciated by those keen on the characters and period. It has great performances (I'm in the positive camp for Keira Knightley), magnificent art-direction and is nicely paced by Cronenberg who continues to evolve as one of the more notable filmmakers working today.  The Blu-ray gives a solid presentation and the commentary and AFI piece give it further value. We can recommend - this is certainly worthwhile viewing.