A Dangerous Method

Name: A Dangerous Method
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Released: November 23, 2011
Duration: 99 min
Rating: 76

2011

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 41 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 173 Ratings

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6.5

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6.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 173 Ratings

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A Dangerous Method

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Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: November 23, 2011 | R

Summary: 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 womanOn 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. (Sony Classics)… Expand

Director: David Cronenberg

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 99 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Liam Lacey

Jan 12, 2012

Mostly, though, A Dangerous Method is a suave chamber piece: a series of glimpses of two 20th-century intellectual titans, in friendship and separation, and the story of a remarkable woman who history had swallowed up, brought into the light again. Read full review

IndieWire Eric Kohn

Nov 23, 2011

In the movie's final shot, Jung's confidence crumbles and he looks supremely troubled, still uncertain of a world he once believed could be explained with textual prowess. Better than any analysis, his expression sums up the dangerous method at the heart of every Cronenberg movie. Read full review

Peter Travers

Nov 21, 2011

The actors give it their all, especially Knightley, whose jaw- jutting, heavily accented and unfairly criticized portrayal gives the film its fighting spirit. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Jan 9, 2012

Ultimately, however, A Dangerous Method is less about the formative years of psychotherapy and two of its progenitors than it is about a rule-breaking extramarital affair. Read full review

David Edelstein

Dec 27, 2011

That wordiness coupled with Cronenberg's classical restraint is part of the splendid Freudian joke at the movie's center. Read full review

Peter Rainer

Nov 23, 2011

Low point would be Knightley's hysterical opening sequences in which she appears to be trying to trying to contort herself into a Moebius strip. Overacting this gross can only have been enabled by a director. Didn't Cronenberg look at the rushes? Or did he think he was back in "Dead Ringers" territory? Read full review

Rene Rodriguez

Oct 27, 2011

Even a supporting turn by Vincent Cassell as Otto Gross, a fellow psychiatrist, cocaine addict and unapologetic adulterer, fails to enliven the movie: A Dangerous Method makes even a cokehead hedonist boring. Read full review

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User Reviews

Eleni

Jan 14, 2012

www.unsungfilms.com
by Georgia Xanthopoulou
Based on a stage play which was based, in its turn, on a book by John Kerr, A Dangerous Method is about the relationship a young Carl Jung develops with a troubled patient as well as the beginning and break-up of his friendship with Sigmundwww.unsungfilms.com
by Georgia Xanthopoulou
Based on a stage play which was based, in its turn, on a book by John Kerr, A Dangerous Method is about the relationship a young Carl Jung develops with a troubled patient as well as the beginning and break-up of his friendship with Sigmund Freud. Most importantly, the film concerns itself with the events that probably caused the breakdown he suffered during World War I and the battle within himself as his values as a responsible physician clashed with his carnal desires. The film starts off quite rough. For those who may be frightened by the beginning of the film, I assure you it gets better. Keira Knightley doesnâ… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

francesco

Mar 15, 2013

It's always difficult to review a movie based on psychology because sometimes what's difficult to understand is too easily categorized as illogical or bad execution.I heard so much criticism towards the last movie by Cronenberg.I completely disagree with those bad reactions."A dangerousIt's always difficult to review a movie based on psychology because sometimes what's difficult to understand is too easily categorized as illogical or bad execution.I heard so much criticism towards the last movie by Cronenberg.I completely disagree with those bad reactions."A dangerous method"is a brilliant ,absorbing and thought provoking movie that boasts excellent performances by the three leading actors.The direction is great and Cronenberg once again shows his uncommon ability to tell a story in a very original way although the dialogs are sometimes hard to follow,probably due to its subject.But there are really breathtaking moments such as the scenes of the Spielrein therapy.This leads me to Knightley performance.It was a brave,shocking and terrific performance that it was criticized without a reason.I didn't catch all that hatred.She has always been so good("Pride e prejudice","Atonement" and "Never let me go")but here she left her comfort zone to bare herself and gives one of the most exiting performances of the year.Oscar worthy material.Fassbender was equally great in the role of Jung and it's a pleasure to watch this splendid rising A-list actor.Mortensen was good but I fear not as good as Fassbender and Knightley.Cassell is always Cassell.He's a good actor but he plays always the role of the daring man.I think that "A dangerous method" is one of the best movies of the year.It succeeds to transcend from his particular story to focus on the hidden instincts associated with the human nature.My vote is 8/10… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

calinblack

Dec 5, 2011

A nice introduction for everybody to the early years of psychoanalysis, Freud and Jung, and a "calm" presentation of the ideas the two follow ! The movie is about contrasts ... teacher & student, marriage & adultery, conservative & progressive and so on !

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

wishmaster

Dec 15, 2011

Not the best movie of the year, but the most indiscreetly "sexes" I've seen, I loved the assembly and costume design, outstanding actors. good movie...

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

khan2705

Feb 14, 2012

I liked it for the most part but just wasn't impressed by the overall movie, this really wasn't a good character study of a well known historic figure or a human being in general. Cronenberg played very safe and the movie felt too much of a Holding Back case to me and to me this is one ofI liked it for the most part but just wasn't impressed by the overall movie, this really wasn't a good character study of a well known historic figure or a human being in general. Cronenberg played very safe and the movie felt too much of a Holding Back case to me and to me this is one of the weaker Cronenberg movies. A big fan of Fassbender, he was nice in the movie but the best thing about it was Mortenson who stole the show while Keira Knightely was too childish and amateur in the movie. Good art direction and stuff but not a very good movie still a nice watch.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Tara61

Apr 2, 2012

The unfortunate Keira Knightly with her utterly fake accent and no comprehension of the character's behavior and motivation is dragging down the movie. What could have been a solid drama with layers upon layer of conflict (established authority vs. talented protegee, man torn between hisThe unfortunate Keira Knightly with her utterly fake accent and no comprehension of the character's behavior and motivation is dragging down the movie. What could have been a solid drama with layers upon layer of conflict (established authority vs. talented protegee, man torn between his wife and his mistress, psychoanalysis vs. established medical practice...) becomes soapy and hard to swallow melodrama. Unfortunately not even one of the mentioned conflict is brought to any conclusion.
On the other hand, visually the movie is beautiful to watch. Detailed and with sharp contrasts I have absolutely enjoyed it. And certainly Viggo Mortensen and Vinsent Cassel are playing out their characters to the maximum of the available screen time. Finally, Michael Fassbender managed to give Jung the insecurity that I always felt the human Jung avoided showing.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

poopdepoop3

Dec 3, 2011

just terrible, terrible,terrible,terrible,terrible,terrible,terrible,terrible,terrible,terrible,terrible,terrible,terrible,just terrible, terrible,terrible,terrible,terrible,terrible,terrible,terrible,terrible,terrible,terrible,terrible.

0 of 6 users found this helpful06

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65	#65 Best Movie of 2011
89	#89 Most Shared Movie of 2011