A Dangerous Method Review

8th Feb 2012

Cronenberg is off on another different tangent in A Dangerous Method. It is pre-war 20^th century and Michael Fassbender plays Carl Jung. A psychotherapist whose new patient (Knightley) is proving quite the challenge but also eventually a colleague in the field. Throughout the narrative though, Jung turns to the renowned Sigmund Freud (Viggo Mortensen) for assistance and discussion.

The film was perhaps most misleading in some of its early publicity materials – almost making it seem like it would mainly focus on the meeting of the minds of both Fassbender’s and Mortensen’s characters. Fassbender is easily the lead of this film, but Mortensen is clearly an extended cameo player. His character comes and goes, and it’s a shame as the intelligent debate between the two is perhaps where this film strikes most of its high notes.

Keira Knightly is also in a leading role; but her character (and acting) wavers between commanding to just see-through. When she is called to act out her characters symptoms it isn’t always convincing, but clearly is a brave choice for the actress as she casts her eyes on yet more period set pictures to become involved in. She may seem intent on becoming the new Helena Bonham-Carter, but she is still leagues out of her depth before she gets there.

It falls then to Fassbender to drive the film from start to finish, but the narrative just isn’t compelling enough to keep a strong investment in any of the characters that come and go along the way. There are some interesting encounters for sure and there is a decent character study within the drama. But the issue is that you know all too well that it could have been told better, or with a stronger focus on more certain aspects of the study.

This is a slight dip in Cronnenberg’s current slate, but we suspect it won’t have any lasting negative effect on what he still has yet to come. It’s a shame thought that whilst this film may appeal to his core audience, they may come away with unrealised expectations.