January 12, 2024
FILM: FREUD’S LAST SESSION
DIRECTED BY: MATT BROWN
STARRING: ANTHONY HOPKINS, MATTHEW GOODE, JODI BALFOUR
RATING: 3 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
Freud’s Last Session is based on the play of the same name that explores a rather lengthy session Sigmund Freud has with writer C.S. Lewis in 1939 just as Germany is invading Poland. There’s a lot covered in this film, which stars the great Anthony Hopkins as Freud and Matthew Goode as Lewis. It’s not based on an actual encounter the two had but it is speculated that Freud did have a meeting with a scholar just weeks before he died. As such, this is all conjecture and an exploration of the philosophies of these two men. Far from perfect, the film goes off in a few too many directions to make it a solidly confined and satisfying work.
Why they get together is a bit unclear as is the need for such as long “session.” This isn’t, by the way, one of Freud’s psychoanalytic sessions but rather a meeting of the minds on the eve of a destructive war. What is most interesting about the film and play is the exploration of the dichotomy of views both men held. Their biggest debate is about the existence of God. Freud is a staunch atheist while Lewis is a believer in all things Christian. The discussions pertaining to their beliefs are quite illuminating. For instance, with a war brewing around them, Freud questions what Lewis’s God would say about such evil and destruction. Who creates suffering and evil, man or God? Freud believes the idea of such an almighty being is ludicrous and the stuff of myths. Lewis holds tight in his ideology in a manner that comes across as much less fervent than Freud’s perspective. Freud is the elder statesman while Lewis is the younger professor with relatively new ideals. Freud maintains that Christian beliefs about something that is not there suggest humanity needs to “grow up.” Believers are not “mature enough to be alone in the dark” with that actual void.
Clearly, writers Matt Brown and Mark St Germain lean a bit toward the non-theistic perspective. I’ve personally written a short film (Scotty and Josh Get Enlightened) that explores some of the same ideas in a more contemporary situation and gave both sides some credibility. It is left to the audience to decide which side to take (if a position must be taken.) It’s fascinating though to consider these questions on the eve of World War II and Freud’s own impending death.
I saw this play in Chicago several years ago and my recollection is that most of the text was written as a debate between the two historical figures. As such, it is always a challenge to open up what is essentially a one-room conversation for the big screen. We expect more from our movies. Hitchcock directed a one setting film pretty spectacularly with an attempted one take in Rope. Richard Linklater provided plenty of camera angles and perspectives for his motel room set film Tape. Director Matt Brown does allow for plenty of breathing room too using many of the latter techniques. However, he also takes the perspective off the main characters and focuses at times on Freud’s daughter Anna. These scenes feel unnecessary to the major debate being had between Freud and Lewis. Even the depiction of Anna’s own lesbian relationship seems a bit superfluous even if it helps to confirm Freud’s own acceptance of homosexuality as completely normal. Still, these diversions as well as several flashbacks seem like padding to an otherwise meaty script. Also included here, Lewis is seen battling his own inner demons during World War I flashbacks. Again, not necessary, even though it does open up the visual dynamics of the film.
As the main characters, Hopkins is okay as Freud but his mostly British accent and lack of physical resemblance to the psychiatrist makes him feel a bit miscast. Goode is also satisfactory in his role, which is pretty low-key and passive for much of the film.
In the end, it is the debate between the figures that makes the film interesting to watch and contemplate. This is a psychological and philosophical examination of a pretty significant period in world history with an urgency that continues to be relevant today.
Freud’s Last Session is now playing limited theatrical release.
FILM: FREUD’S LAST SESSION
DIRECTED BY: MATT BROWN
STARRING: ANTHONY HOPKINS, MATTHEW GOODE, JODI BALFOUR
RATING: 3 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
Freud’s Last Session is based on the play of the same name that explores a rather lengthy session Sigmund Freud has with writer C.S. Lewis in 1939 just as Germany is invading Poland. There’s a lot covered in this film, which stars the great Anthony Hopkins as Freud and Matthew Goode as Lewis. It’s not based on an actual encounter the two had but it is speculated that Freud did have a meeting with a scholar just weeks before he died. As such, this is all conjecture and an exploration of the philosophies of these two men. Far from perfect, the film goes off in a few too many directions to make it a solidly confined and satisfying work.
Why they get together is a bit unclear as is the need for such as long “session.” This isn’t, by the way, one of Freud’s psychoanalytic sessions but rather a meeting of the minds on the eve of a destructive war. What is most interesting about the film and play is the exploration of the dichotomy of views both men held. Their biggest debate is about the existence of God. Freud is a staunch atheist while Lewis is a believer in all things Christian. The discussions pertaining to their beliefs are quite illuminating. For instance, with a war brewing around them, Freud questions what Lewis’s God would say about such evil and destruction. Who creates suffering and evil, man or God? Freud believes the idea of such an almighty being is ludicrous and the stuff of myths. Lewis holds tight in his ideology in a manner that comes across as much less fervent than Freud’s perspective. Freud is the elder statesman while Lewis is the younger professor with relatively new ideals. Freud maintains that Christian beliefs about something that is not there suggest humanity needs to “grow up.” Believers are not “mature enough to be alone in the dark” with that actual void.
Clearly, writers Matt Brown and Mark St Germain lean a bit toward the non-theistic perspective. I’ve personally written a short film (Scotty and Josh Get Enlightened) that explores some of the same ideas in a more contemporary situation and gave both sides some credibility. It is left to the audience to decide which side to take (if a position must be taken.) It’s fascinating though to consider these questions on the eve of World War II and Freud’s own impending death.
I saw this play in Chicago several years ago and my recollection is that most of the text was written as a debate between the two historical figures. As such, it is always a challenge to open up what is essentially a one-room conversation for the big screen. We expect more from our movies. Hitchcock directed a one setting film pretty spectacularly with an attempted one take in Rope. Richard Linklater provided plenty of camera angles and perspectives for his motel room set film Tape. Director Matt Brown does allow for plenty of breathing room too using many of the latter techniques. However, he also takes the perspective off the main characters and focuses at times on Freud’s daughter Anna. These scenes feel unnecessary to the major debate being had between Freud and Lewis. Even the depiction of Anna’s own lesbian relationship seems a bit superfluous even if it helps to confirm Freud’s own acceptance of homosexuality as completely normal. Still, these diversions as well as several flashbacks seem like padding to an otherwise meaty script. Also included here, Lewis is seen battling his own inner demons during World War I flashbacks. Again, not necessary, even though it does open up the visual dynamics of the film.
As the main characters, Hopkins is okay as Freud but his mostly British accent and lack of physical resemblance to the psychiatrist makes him feel a bit miscast. Goode is also satisfactory in his role, which is pretty low-key and passive for much of the film.
In the end, it is the debate between the figures that makes the film interesting to watch and contemplate. This is a psychological and philosophical examination of a pretty significant period in world history with an urgency that continues to be relevant today.
Freud’s Last Session is now playing limited theatrical release.