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Keira Knightley, Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender, Vincent Cassel, Sarah Gadon ... see more see more... , André Hennicke , Arndt Schwering-Sohnrey , Mignon Reme , Mareike Carriere , Franziska Arndt , Wladimir Matuchin , André Dietz , Anna Thalbach , Sarah Marecek , Björn Geske , Markus Haase , Christian Serritiello , Clemens Giebel , Theo Meller , Jost Grix , Severin von Hoensbroech , Torsten Knippertz , Dirk S. Greis , Katharina Palm , Nina Azizi , Julie Chevallier , Cynthia Cosima , Mirko Guckeisen , Julia Mack , Andrea Magro , Aaron Keller , Nadine Salomon , Naike Jaszczyk , Sarah Adams

Seduced by the challenge of an impossible case, the driven Dr. Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender) takes the unbalanced yet beautiful Sabina Spielrein (Keira Knightley) as his patient in A Dangerous Method... read more read more.... Jung's weapon is the method of his master, the renowned Sigmund Freud (Viggo Mortensen). Both men fall under Sabina's spell. -- (C) Sony Pictures Classics

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52% liked it

21,299 ratings

Critics

78% liked it

162 critics

R, 1 hr. 39 min.

Directed by: David Cronenberg

Release Date: November 23, 2011

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DVD Release Date: March 27, 2012

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Stats: 1,444 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,444)

  • LWOODS04
    May 25, 2012
    LWOODS04
    Cast: Keira Knightley, Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender, Vincent Cassel, Sarah Gadon, André Hennicke, Arndt Schwering-Sohnrey, Mignon Remé

    Director: David Cronenberg

    Summary: In this David Cronenberg-helmed biopic, Viggo Mortensen stars as Sigmund Freud, whose relations... read morehip with fellow psychology luminary Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender) is tested when Sabina Spielrein (Keira Knightley), one of the first female psychoanalysts, enters their lives. This World War I-set drama also stars Vincent Cassel as Otto Gross, a disciple of Freud, and Sarah Gadon, who plays Jung's psychoanalyst wife.

    My Thoughts: "There is no denying that this film has a fantastic cast of brilliant actors who did some great acting. But the story just about put me to sleep. I ended up playing a game on my phone for most of it. I just couldn't find an inch of myself caring about the story or it's characters. Michael Fassender and Viggo Mortensen were great together on screen and made me take notice. But the rest was just blah. I guess it is one of those films that are for some and not for others."
  • fb100001048934982
    May 10, 2012
    fb100001048934982
    David Cronenberg's historical biopic is about as interesting as it is disturbing. Both aspects are usually rife throughout a Cronenberg film. But many of his techniques are still missing, like the gore. But adaptability never hurt anyone. The acting is as good as ever, except Kni... read moreghtley's character evokes no sympathy whatsoever, mostly because she is extremely annoying. Despite this lack of pathos, the story and dialogue between the worlds' greatest psychoanalysts is insanely intriguing.
  • hobster1
    May 9, 2012
    hobster1
    Despite the underlying topic of sexuality, the undertaking is surprisingly retrained for a film by David Cronenberg. Low key account is straightforward and quiet. That's surprising in a drama where unconventional sexual impulses and sadomasochistic tendencies essentially form the... read more basis of the story. I struggled to maintain interest at times. It's a movie where the very discussion of ideas is supposed to be more shocking rather than the actual depiction of anything scandalous. Talky cerebral approach is admirable for its sophistication. I give the film credit for subtlety and precision, but it's also kind of routine. See it for Keira Knightly. If not for her presence, the whole affair would have been rather forgettable.
  • YLOWBSTARDreturns
    April 19, 2012
    YLOWBSTARDreturns
    A strong drama from Cronenberg. As a narrative its not a perfect endeavor, but it succeeds in capturing it's period perfectly and feature a pair of terrific performances. People say Knightley was over the top; I thought it was possibly the best bit of acting of her career..
  • lewiskendell
    April 7, 2012
    lewiskendell
    A genuine "psychological drama" about Karl Jeung (Michael Fassbender) and his transformative relationships with a patient (Keira Knightley) and his mentor, Sigmund Freud (Viggo Mortensen). A Dangerous Method is an interesting movie (which is not at all dry as the subject matter m... read moreight initially indicate to some) with an excellent cast, but unfortunately it fizzles a bit at the end with a less than compelling final act.
  • blkbomb
    April 6, 2012
    blkbomb
    Sigmund Freud: Experiences like this, however painful, are necessary and inevitable; without them, how can we know life? 

    "Based on the true story of Jung, Freud, and the patient who came between them."

    A Dangerous Method had some interesting material, but I was never really ab... read moresorbed into the movie like I should have been. In fact, I don't think I really even liked it at all. My rating comes purely because of the great performances from Knightley, Fassbender, and Mortenson. Also the film is just really well made, technically speaking. It looks good as a period piece and all the sets are well done. Still, underwhelmed is the perfect word for how I feel about A Dangerous Method. 

    This was unlike any Cronenberg film I have seen. Most of the movies I have seen from him had something to do with either the horror or sci-fi genres and many times both. This one is far, far away, story wise, from the films that started got him his start. So while this didn't really have anything in common with the other movies I've seen from him, I still managed to feel the same way I did after a great majority of his films. Most of the time I'm at least a little disappointed, with the one notable exception begin Videodrome. Now to be fair, I haven't seen some of his most praised films like Eastern Promises, A History of Violence, or Scanners; but the ones I have seen haven't really impressed me. 

    Cronenberg obviously has a large amount of talent as a director. He always picks extremely interesting projects, and he always makes them in a very professional way. I'm just waiting to see one of his movies that will really blow me away, and A Dangerous Method unfortunately wasn't that. Still a good effort from Cronenberg and everyone involved though.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    April 1, 2012
    TheDudeLebowski65
    David Croneberg's A Dangerous Method takes a look at the birth of psychoanalysis. A Dangerous Method is an engaging period drama with a terrific cast. Every actor here is perfect for the parts they play. Keira Knightley gives one of the most eccentric and unsettling performances ... read moreof her career. Michael Fassbender as usual delivers a great performance. A Dangerous Method is a great period piece that recounts the birth of psychoanalysis. Cronenberg has made a career out of the body horror genre, but this is a very different departure for Cronenberg. I very much enjoyed the film, and though the story was suffering a bit, the acting is what made this film watchable. Brilliantly acted and directed, A Dangerous Method is a film that recount an important event in the field of psychology. The film has some effective dramatic moments that make this film stand out. The performances are a key reason to why this film is so good. Add to that a very good story and you have a memorable film worth watching. I thought that this film was fairly underrated and thought it deserved a lot more acclaim. This is one of David Cronenberg's best films since eXistenZ. If you're a fan of Croneberg's work, then check out A Dangerous Method. Of all the films that David Cronenberg has made, this is one of his more accessible works. Brilliantly acted with an engaging plot, A Dangerous Method is a powerful drama that is a definite must see.
  • FiLmCrAzY
    March 20, 2012
    FiLmCrAzY
    I didn't get it, i understood the story and i understood what was going on but the whole movie seemed to serve no importance whatsoever, it just seemed like a pointless movie!
    I can't fault the acting though! The acting was superb, i think Keira Knigghtly did a fantastic job and ... read morethe whole cast were on top form but the storyline itself failed to impress!
  • fb100001493964409
    March 4, 2012
    fb100001493964409
    Looking at reviews written by general audiences, it seems I'm one of the few people that truly enjoyed this film. It may be a bit of a bias for director David Cronenberg that made me enjoy it, but I'm certain that Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender, and Keira Knightley are the r... read moreeason I enjoyed it. Each one of them puts out a performance that keeps the film fresh and interesting, in particular, Keira is a standout. Not necessarily because she's the best, but because it's a massive improvement over her past films and definitely challenges her. Also, Viggo is borderline unrecognizable in this film (I honestly forgot towards the end of the film that this was the same man who played Aragorn) and while it's definitely a supporting role, his presence on screen is always appreciated. It's interesting to see Cronenberg do a film that has only 2 gore shots during its runtime. I hope for the best for his next film, "Cosmopolis."
  • c0up
    March 2, 2012
    c0up
    'A Dangerous Method'. Knightely, Mortensen, Fassbender. Psychoanalysis. Sprinkles of lovely humour, strong dialogue and an acting delight!

    Every scene between Fassbender and Mortensen was of particular joy, and I'd quite happily watch a 13 hour conversation between Jung and Freud.

View All A Dangerous Method Reviews

Critic Reviews

Roger Moore
March 23, 2012
Roger Moore, McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Cronenberg spares us few of the gory details of the patient who brought the two fathers of psychoanalysis together and helped tear them apart. Full Review

Tom Long
January 20, 2012
Tom Long, Detroit News

The true story is extraordinary; the film is not, although the actors are all fine. Full Review

Joe Baltake
January 17, 2012
Joe Baltake, Passionate Moviegoer

Cronenberg's 'A Dangerous Method': Vertiginous Intellectuality Full Review

Liam Lacey
January 13, 2012
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

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 u... Full Review

Peter Howell
January 12, 2012
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

Cronenberg has reached the stage of his career where he doesn't feel it necessary to pander to expectations. Instead he seeks to engage us, and he succeeds. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 7, 2012
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Knightley's portrayal is feral and unsettling. Full Review

Lisa Kennedy
January 6, 2012
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

A Dangerous Method is well cast with Michael Fassbender as a pent-up Jung and Viggo Mortensen as Freud. Keira Knightley​ inhabits the fits and fury of Spielrein. Full Review

Steven Rea
January 5, 2012
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

This is a freaky thing to behold: Knightley's wildly physical rendering of a mentally unbalanced soul. Full Review

Colin Covert
December 30, 2011
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Pivots as much on political gamesmanship and intellectual dominance as sadomasochistic urges and infidelity. Full Review

Wesley Morris
December 22, 2011
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

"A Dangerous Method'' begins where other films hope to culminate. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Sigmund Freud: 100 years from now they still won't accept us.
    • Carl Jung: There must be more than one hinge into the universe.
    • Sabina Spielrein: My greatest desire when I become a doctor is to give people back their freedom.
    • Sabina Spielrein: Don't you think that there is something male in every woman and female in every man?
    • Carl Jung: Sometimes you have to do something unforgivable , just to be able to go on living.
    • Otto Gross: I think Freud's obsession with sex probably has a great deal to do with the fact that he never gets any.
Submit a Fact | View All

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