A Dangerous Method

libra02

Another one of the films generating buzz at the films festivals.

David Cronenberg's new film A Dangerous Method. The film cats focus on the relationship between Freud and Jung and the birth of physcoanalysis.

Main cast are Michael Fassbender, Viggo Mortensen & Keira Knightley

Added link to trailer here as it seems to be just on the films website at the moment

http://adangerousmethod-themovie.com/

Was very interested in seeing this when I first heard and am excited to see it after the trailer.

However still have my doubts about Keira Knightley as reports put her perfomance range between Oscar bait and laughable.

JP Liz V1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNO3d7Czc-Q

Getting spanked could land Keira an Oscar

libra02

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNO3d7Czc-Q

Getting spanked could land Keira an Oscar

All joking aside though I think she may be the only one to get any type of award recognition.

On the director side with current Oscar darling Fincher and then Martin Scrosese, Roman Polanski, and Eastwood all having films out I think this will be left behind and the Oscar's members seem not to be a huge fan of Cronenberg's work.

On the acting front Keria may just slip in there with a nod but it seems that Fassbender and Mortensen should actually be the ones nominated. Be a toss up if it does happen if it be best actor or best supporting actor.

On that front if Fassbender does get any nod it should / could be for Shame - however given the subject material and graphic nature of the film it probably will prove way too much for the Oscars. Look at the whole fuss over Blue Valentine and Michelle Willimas according to some critics was luckly nod due to a scene in that film.

Mickeroo

I'll watch this for Big Viggs and Fassbender's involvment alone, plus it sounds like an interesting subject matter too. Cronenberg can be hit or miss but there's no question he's a talented director.

If I hear a film is not going to get an oscar nod because of it's content then there' usueally a good chance that it's really really good

libra02

Mickeroo wrote: »

I'll watch this for Big Viggs and Fassbender's involvment alone, plus it sounds like an interesting subject matter too. Cronenberg can be hit or miss but there's no question he's a talented director.

If I hear a film is not going to get an oscar nod because of it's content then there' usueally a good chance that it's really really good

Well then if Shame a proper cinema release it be a film to go to. It up there for top prize at Venice and also was shown at Telluride Film Festival and was warmly received. I could see why certain members of the Academy would shy away from it but still even though it is a controversial drama dealing with sex addiction if it will an outstanding films it all regards it should be recognised.

I agree, Cronenberg despite the uneven nature of the films he has put out really is an outstanding director. So am very excited to see this film.

However think I be giving his next one Cosmopolis a miss due to is casting of Robert Pattinson in lead role.

Morag

Very much looking forward to this.

MissKK

Really can't wait to see this movie!! Michael Fassbender looks great in this and Shame!

libra02

MissKK wrote: »

Really can't wait to see this movie!! Michael Fassbender looks great in this and Shame!

Looks well but some critics are mixed some expected it to be more explicit or like Cronenberg's other films whereas this is not as kinky / graphic and is quite dialogue heavy - as in conversations bewteen Freud and Jung.

See what is said about if at TIFF, LIFF & NYIFF.

In a few hours however Venice Film Festivals awards will be handed out. Michael Fassbender is being tipped to win acting award and be a crime if he does not.

Shame apparently is competing against TTSP, Wuthering Heights and maybe Carnage for the Golden Lion. Considering what it is up against Shame is a clear winner but you never know with these juries.

Rabidlamb

This was a well acted interesting story.
Knightley hams it up a bit & over stresses her eastern European accent at times but gives one of her better performances here.
Fassbender is great as expected but plays the role with a staunch reserved English accent, odd considering the location but we'll put that aside.
Nobody exists outside the 3 main characters, this would translate easily to a stage play but maybe need more of a dynamic, seeing these eminent doctors actually treat some more patients might have added to their importance.
At one point they travel to America to share their ideas but we never learn anything about their trip which was disappointing.
The ultimate fate of Knighley's character is tragic but is confined to only footnotes in the end credits, might have been a better film if they'd taken it up to the start of WW2.

Anyway, 6/10.

johnny_ultimate

Saw this earlier and while I did really like it it was let down by the fact that it was... well, the only word that seems appropriate is 'minor'.

Can't really fault the acting. I thought Knightley was hamming it up at the beginning, but it evolved into a very interesting performance (one thing I'd say about her as an actress is she tends to pick mostly offbeat choices). Fassbender put on a good show of a man trying to keep up appearances. And Mortenson oozed quiet sarcasm and hostility throughout.

Basically, it's a film of intellectual warfare: a story that gives life to the theories of the three central characters in interesting ways throughout. It's blunt at times, pleasantly subtle at others. It was rarely less that engaging. But Cronenberg's presence is barely felt. There's no strong visual identity. The pacing feels off and at times overly episodic. The overall structure of the film is disjointed.

It's certainly worth a watch, but it's a film that lacks a certain something. Something that is almost impossible to identify or quantify. Maybe given the subject matter that's kind of apt.

Sindri

I haven't seen the film yet but is there any chance Cronenberg decided to have the characters represent the id, ego and superego?

ImpossibleDuck

I've always been fascinated by what I've heard about Freud, and when I heard about this (the whole 'birth of psychoanalysis' thing), I was really interested.

However, from what I've seen of trailers, it doesn't look to be an insight into the birth of psychoanalysis but rather focusing more on the character Keira Knightley is playing (sorry, don't know the name :pac:).

I'm hoping I'm wrong in that however.

Not a big Cronenberg fan myself, but a great cast anyway.

Most reviews and ratings I've seen seem to be lower than I expected 6-7/10, which seems rather disappointing.

I'll go to see it anyway and hopefully it'll live up to my hopes.

corcaigh07

ImpossibleDuck wrote: »

I've always been fascinated by what I've heard about Freud, and when I heard about this (the whole 'birth of psychoanalysis' thing), I was really interested.

However, from what I've seen of trailers, it doesn't look to be an insight into the birth of psychoanalysis but rather focusing more on the character Keira Knightley is playing (sorry, don't know the name :pac:).

I'm hoping I'm wrong in that however.

Not a big Cronenberg fan myself, but a great cast anyway.

Most reviews and ratings I've seen seem to be lower than I expected 6-7/10, which seems rather disappointing.

I'll go to see it anyway and hopefully it'll live up to my hopes.

you're not wrong there, not a lot about the beginnings of psychoanalysis but it is definitely touched upon

the movie focuses more on the relationships and interactions between the 3 main characters, as rabidlamb explained and i agree with him, there isn't a lot going on outside of the 3 main characters.

That said, I really enjoyed it, loved all 3 main performances, even Keira Knightley who I usually find quite annoying! You have to be in quite a sombre, thoughtful mood to watch this, it is fairly on the slow side but it held my interest throughout.

ImpossibleDuck

corcaigh07 wrote: »

you're not wrong there, not a lot about the beginnings of psychoanalysis but it is definitely touched upon

the movie focuses more on the relationships and interactions between the 3 main characters, as rabidlamb explained and i agree with him, there isn't a lot going on outside of the 3 main characters.

That's what I was afraid of.

I'm not saying it's going to be any less of a film because of it, it was entirely out of my own interests. I'd love to watch a film solely on the birth of psychoanalysis and Freud....maybe a documentary is what I'm looking for! :pac:

Amirani

I enjoyed this. Despite the slow and slightly shallow plot, there's some great acting on show.

Technocentral

libra02 wrote: »

Another one of the films generating buzz at the films festivals.

David Cronenberg's new film A Dangerous Method. The film cats focus on the relationship between Freud and Jung and the birth of physcoanalysis.

Main cast are Michael Fassbender, Viggo Mortensen & Keira Knightley

Added link to trailer here as it seems to be just on the films website at the moment

http://adangerousmethod-themovie.com/

Was very interested in seeing this when I first heard and am excited to see it after the trailer.

However still have my doubts about Keira Knightley as reports put her perfomance range between Oscar bait and laughable.

Very 60's language there man! Sounds really good, re Keira she was great in Atonement I thought plus she plays a "troubled but beautiful young psychoanalyst" can't be all bad. Those film cats might have a classic on their hands.

Sad Professor

I didn't care for this at all. I guess psychoanalysis is a dry subject whatever way you look at it, but this is just too clinical and cerebral to be the provocative chamber play that is trying to be. I'm not the biggest Cronenberg fan anyway, however at least his previous films had a pulse. Knightly's facial contortions are the most memorable thing about this. Nevertheless, it's a very watchable film with good period detail and strong performances.

Rumple Fugly

So, A Dangerous Method is that type of film that.......snore

OldeCinemaSoz

Does chamber play involve CP?

I'm intrigued by Cronenberg. She makes a mean film.

fisgon

This is slow, but compelling. It drew me in completely. I thought Keira Knightley stole the film, not sure entirely about her portrayal at the beginning of the insane young woman, but she grew into it and really dominated the whole story. Really liked this.

Denerick

I thought it was excellent, truly excellent. I'm biased though because Fassbender and Mortenson are two of my favourite actors and I have an amateur interest in psychoanalysis.

Gee Bag

I liked it, I thought Vincent Cassell was great.