electriccanyon26
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joined Oct 2019
A film exploring the six-year friendship between Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud, focusing on how that bond shaped Jung’s trajectory as he began his career in psychiatry. It sheds significant light on his romantic connection with the American woman Sabina Spielrein, one of the early female pioneers in psychoanalysis. The story kicks off when she is admitted to Jung’s clinic due to a neurotic disorder, two years before he even meets Freud.
Keira Knightley delivers a fascinating performance; Sabina is perhaps the most compelling figure here, especially given her role in the overarching narrative. Her fractured psyche is particularly gripping at the start, though the specific details of her illness aren't laid bare. It’s clear her struggles stem from sexual frustration, yet we never learn which pivotal discovery led to her recovery—what the core of her issue actually was. She remains shrouded in mystery, leaving a lingering sense of dissatisfaction because certain pressing questions go unanswered. Ultimately, it seems to be the director's choice to avoid over-explaining the mechanics of psychoanalysis, preferring instead to focus on other elements.
Sabina was naturally a highly sexual person, and whether she was truly "cured" remains ambiguous—at least within the context of this film. This supports Jung's theory that people don't benefit from merely being confronted with their frustrations, especially if viewed through the narrow lens of sexuality alone; this fundamental disagreement between Jung and Freud is handled brilliantly here. The dialogue between the two men is the film's strongest asset. In almost every line spoken, you can catch glimpses of the profound ideas held by these two giants.
There is certainly a heavy intellectual component, but Cronenberg manages to approach the subject matter with such meticulous detail that the result never feels dry, despite the fact that this true story isn't inherently cinematic. I was personally quite skeptical about how this would work—I didn't realize there was a stage play involved—especially since the most critical moments of their relationship hinge on Jung recounting his dreams to Freud and a passing mention of some sort of "murky tide of occultism."
Viggo Mortensen plays Sigmund Freud as an unusual man of few words—extremely restrained, arrogant, with a gaze that conveys coldness, confidence, and a deadly resolve, but also deep-seated vanity, envy, and bitterness. His interpretation has incredible depth; it was a huge surprise to me.
Freud was fearless in defending his theories. He handled the lack of respect from the scientific community at the time with dignity while building a following. He sought a reputation as a pragmatic scientist who had established a legitimate method for uncovering the soul, discarding any moral or religious "deceptions" associated with it. However, that hunger for authority eventually obstructed his pursuit of the truth. Jung, on the other hand, wasn't afraid of being cast out; he was a much more persistent and courageous fighter, willing to sacrifice far more than just his status. Michael Fassbender is, as expected, excellent in his role.
I'm not sure how much of this lands without some background knowledge of the actual history, so I've looked into the details to somewhat justify the film for those unfamiliar with the era. There are moments where characters leave thoughts unfinished when they should have completed them. The non-linear structure might also be a drawback for some. It goes without saying that this is the most unconventional Cronenberg film to date—and I found it exceptional. Perhaps I'm being unrealistic, but for me, this is a 9/10. 🙂
p.s. I'll admit I'd find it hard to recommend this to my casual friends, but I'd definitely suggest it to the Jung enthusiasts. 🙂
