Matthew Goode plays CS Lewis and Anthony Hopkins plays Sigmund Freud in the story of a meeting between the pair that probably didn't happen.(An Oxford don met with Freud 3 weeks before he died, but we don't know who it was)
The plot has Lewis visiting Freud on the eve of World War 2, three weeks before Freud committed doctor assisted suicide. Lewis the Catholic wasn't sure why Freud, an atheist wanted to see him. The result is a discussion of life and death, the nature of our souls and psyches, as well a general discussion of the human condition. It's a truly compelling and moving clash (I've watched it several times now)
For the most part this is top shelf filmmaking. Goode and Hopkins are Oscar worthy, with the rest of the cast equally good. The look, the feel of it all is what great filmmaking is all about. You will want to see the film because it's that good.
Where the film wobbles is in the opening up of some of the material. This was originally a book, a miniseries and stage play that was transformed into screenplay. Beyond the Lewis/Freud meeting there is a subplot involving Anna Freud and her father as well as various incidents in the lives of the men that act as backstory. While none of it is bad, it seems to act more as a distraction to the central discussion. For example a walk to a bomb shelter seems only there just to show us Lewis' trauma from the First World War. We don't need most of it since it only provides shading. Perhaps if the film were longer it would have worked better.
But I'm quibbling. I loved this film. I loved it so much I've seen it three times now. While it isn't the best film of the year it still fed my soul and got my mind going. Between the performances, the filmmaking and especially the heady and heart felt discussions this was manna for this movie lovers soul.
Highly recommended, this is a late in the year must see.
No comments:
Post a Comment