A DANGEROUS METHOD (David Cronenberg, Sony Pictures Classic, 2011)

What an interesting film A DANGEROUS METHOD (David Cronenberg, Sony Pictures Classic, 2011) turned out to be. For the most part the film was quite simple. Interesting story, some really good acting, the awesome Keira Knightley. Yet they chose to add in some CGI that just made the film unwatchable at certain moments. Still these moments weren't so bad as to detract from a really good film. The film is simple and beautiful. Throughout the film great settings and locations are used. The film is set in early 20th century Austria and only in Europe can you have this coverage of old world charm mixed with antiquated architecture. Cronenberg crafts simple shots and composition using easy and simple camera movement and uncluttered composition to his sets. He also has a nice pace to the film. The films subject and dialogue might be a little too stodgy and slow for some viewers so this pacing really helps the film move along. He also keeps the film at a nice length, not bloating the film with unnecessary extras. The narrative to the film is rather intriguing, particularly seeing the infancy of modern psychological practice. Our contemporary world has embraced this practice and to see its beginnings is interesting. What Jung (Michael Fassbender) and Freud (Viggo Mortensen) are practicing is a dangerous method indeed. The continual analysis they subject themselves to as well as their non stop analysis of everyone around them obviously could lead to problems. Fractured familial relationships, jealous and bitter feuds and even adulterous relationships with patients all come about and show just how dangerous their method is. Ultimately it is the characters in the narrative which draw you into this world so readily. Fassbender and Mortensen are always putting out quality performances but Knightley is the best performer of the three. I love her voice always and of course she looks great. But she aggressively attacks this deeply sexual role as Sabina and just gives a layered performance, a great performance. The one mark against the film was their use of CGI at certain moments. As Jung and Freud sail to America this poor CGI is most evident. First we see Freud walking against a night skyline that simply looks like they had him walking on a set with a painted backdrop. Next they show the ship sailing into New York City harbor and the CGI is just awful again. Take out these sequences and change them. You have taken great pains to establish a great film with beautiful locations, settings, costumes, actors et al. Change the sequences so you don't have to use this obvious unauthentic imagery. It is so very frustrating in this era of effects and CGI to see something just not done very well. Other than that one little aspect this film is done very well, quite remarkable actually.