A Dangerous Method quite literally typifies the term `psychological drama`, based as it is on a primary theme of rivalry and repressed desire. Fassbender plays a young Carl Jung, his theories still gestating, who takes on the unbalanced, beautiful Sabina Spielrein, a patient who typifies the term `daddy issues`. Sabine`s case becomes an area of contention between Jung and his newly found mentor, Sigmund Freud (Viggo Mortensen), and a repository for the two men`s growing rivalry.
The film itself is a thematic departure from Mortensen`s usual explorations of violence, and is rife with both psychoanalytic allusion and subtle dialogue. This is punctuated occasionally with visual depictions of deviant sexuality, which could have been more radically portrayed, given the film`s controversial topics. Moviegoers without an interest in the history of psychoanalysis may still find the dialogue riveting enough to be engaging, but will probably start to disengage midway through the film, given Cronenberg`s tendency to emotionally detach from his characters.
Mortensen is pitch perfect as the stately, quietly egomaniacal Sigmund Freud, and Fassbender plays a tense, self-loathing interpretation of Carl Jung in highly convincing fashion. Keira Knightley`s effort as crazed patient Sabina Spielrein initially comes across as self-conscious and contrived, although a more sedate second half allows for a more nuanced performance.
A Dangerous Method is a film that is unsettling in its lucidity, a incisive examination into the human imperfections behind influential theories of the mind. Despite its brilliance, however, the movie`s dialogue-heavy nature may alienate viewers indifferent towards its thematic content.
Summary: Highly appealing to a niche audience and those who want to watch a topless Keira Knightley being spanked.
Rating: 3.5/5 Raphael Lim