Movie Review: Frued's Last Session

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B+

An excellent and very intelligent old-fashioned movie. 

This film has the type of premise that I find irresistible. This film is about a meeting between C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud. These two were of course great intellectual minds of their times. However, C.S. Lewis was a Christian and Frued was an atheist, which made their outlooks on the world completely different from each other. As someone who has an interest in theological discussions the idea of these two intellectual giants discussing whether or not there is a God, is just an idea that immediately appeals to me. Helping this movie is that this is a very dialogue-based film, and the dialogue is very intelligent, and week written. The dialogue is enhanced by incredible performances from both Anothony Hopkins and Matthew Goode, who make us feel like we are actually watching these two real-life figures. This film doesn't do what so many other films would do today. Many modern movies would play down the intelligence of one figure in order to make a point. However, both of them are shown as incredible intelligent. As well as just being a debate this film is also a character study for both characters and what lead them to believe what they believe. In studying who both these characters are the movie is not afraid to dig into these characters' flaws. This is especially shown when the movie turns its intentions towards the relationship between Frued and his daughter. It is fascinating to see how someone who is a genius at helping others and analyzes their problems can make such a mess of his own life. This movie also creates a strong emotional involvement, when it comes to Lewis' PTSD from fighting in WW1. This leads to an especially emotional scene and an incredible intelligent conversation later on. Also, while this is a very dialogue heavy film, it never feels like a filmed stage play thanks to well used flashbacks and a wonderful, staged ending. 

I do think though this movie could have been even better though. The theological discussions never go as deep as I would like them to. While stated in very well worded dialogue some of the arguments from both sides tend to be quite basic and don't say much we haven't heard before. There are a few times when the arguments become deeper and more intelligent but then the subject is changed (often due to subplots) before it fully delves into these arguments. This is simply a missed opportunity, but it does not stop this from being a very well-made film. 

This is a very intelligently made and written movie. I only wished it had delved a little deeper into the theological discussions.