Right before World War One, Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender) and Sigmund Freud Viggo Mortensen ) were developing the Talking Cure or better known as Psychoanalysis.   Eventually, their approaches to Psychoanalysis would split them and Carl Jung would develop his own form of therapy influenced by his spiritual ideas.  A DANGEROUS METHOD begins with Carl Jung taking on a patient, Sabina Spielrein (Keira Knightley).   He inspires her and cures her.  She is turned on by pain and Carl has an affair with Sabina (but Carl has a very rich wife).   Meanwhile, Jung's relationship with his father figure mentor Freud begins to fracture while Sabina studies to be a doctor like Jung and Freud.

A DANGEROUS METHOD is based on a stage play which draws from a non-fiction book about Freud and Jung.   Director David Cronenberg continues to deliver with great character films as he uses a team of people he trusts and A DANGEROUS METHOD marks his third film with Viggo Mortensen (who continues to amaze with how he plays a different character from the previous collaboration with Cronenberg, EASTERN PROMISES which I wish they would hurry up with the sequel).   Keira Knightley pulls out the strongest performance in her career (also some fans will like she is nude in some scenes) and goes toe to toe with Fassbender and Mortensen.   A DANGEROUS METHOD is a very passionate and intellectual film with many scenes focusing on the ideas of Psychoanalysis.  It could have been boring in lesser hands, but a master like Cronenberg with a great cast makes this movie never boring.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

The feature audio commentary with director David Cronenberg talks about the events and letters the movie draws its scenes from in addition to the artistic license he took with some scenes in addition to talking about the real people the actors play.

The making-of featurette is a promotion piece that features interview with the actors and director David Cronenberg.   However, AFI'S HAROLD LLOYD MAST SEMINAR WITH DAVID CRONENBERG is a meatier extra as David Cronenberg talks about A DANGEROUS METHOD, his films, and his techniques.   It is a nice complimentary piece to the audio commentary.

Also included is the theatrical trailer and previews for other SPHE releases.

FINAL ANALYSIS:  A DANGEROUS METHOD is an interesting and well-acted character drama.   The AFI Master Class featurette and the audio commentary are great extras to watch, skip the making-of featurette.

this review is (c)3-30-2012 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission.  send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com