"Hysteria" (95 min.) brings the highly unlikely (but we are reminded at the beginning of the film that "This movie is based on true events. Really.") story of a young doctor Dr. Mortimer Granville (played by Hugh Dancy) in London, 1880, who is struggling but eventually finds a job with Dr. Robert Dalrymple (played brillantly by Jonathan Pryce) who is treating women for the so-called hysteria disease, really a catch-all for any and all things supposedly wrong with women in those days. The treatment is nothing else but to touch these women's private parts until they reach "paroxysmal convulsions" (wink, wink). The young doctor along with his buddy eventually come up with a mechanical device, which became the vibrator (still the number one sex toy in the world today, we are reminded at the end of the movie).
But the movie in fact is much more about Granville's romantic interplay with the 2 daughters of Dalrymple, Emily (played by Felicity Jones), who is "daddy's girl" and to whom Granville gets engaged, and Charlotte (played by Maggie Gyllenhaal), the "rebel" daughter who has set up a social center to help the poor. I don't want to give away much more from the plot, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.
Maggie Gyllenhall really shines in this movie. I couldn't help but think how much she reminded me of Diane Keaton in her late 70s performances (think Annie Hall). That aside, this movie is a pleasant romcom, nothing more, nothing less. And no, not an "important movie" about women's empowerment as some other reviews here (who obviously did not see the movie) are suggesting.
Yes, Hysteria really is about the invention of the vibrator in Victorian England. And in my opinion it is adorable. Not everyone's cup of tea I realize. If the subject matter makes you a little uncomfortable, then give this one a pass. I can certainly see that certain conservatives would not be amused by this premise.
If however you find it amusing that someone made a romantic comedy about...well...you know what... then you will have a lovely light evening with lots of laughs.
Buy Hysteria (2012) Now
When, some time ago, I'd heard that Maggie Gyllenhaal was making a movie about the invention of the vibrator, I was excited. I mean, I love Maggie and I love vibrators so what more could I ask for in the way of entertainment? But time went by and I heard nothing about it. I'd almost forgotten it completely when, checking out the new offerings on Amazon (because as I've told you repeatedly for months now, NETFLIX SUCKS), there it was! Yippee!
I had fresh coffee, a French toast bagel with honey walnut cream cheese and a movie about vibrators. A near-perfect Saturday morning.
Honestly, I expected the movie to be interesting, perhaps even enlightening in an indie film kinda way, considered that it apparently got so little press I wasn't even aware it had opened. But what i got was a delighful little movie that had me chuckling and laughing out loud. Considering the subject, it gives the term "a feel-good movie" a whole new meaning.
Even better, the basic facts of the movie are true.
In England of the 1890's -the height of Victorian prudery, where furniture was draped with heavy fabric to prevent the scandalous sight of carved table "legs" giving rise to lascivious thoughts -the average doctor killed more patients than he saved. Medicine was still medieval, and leeching was still being prescribed even for broken bones.
Mortimer Granville, a young doctor who eagerly embraces all the cutting-edge research of the day, finds himself discharged from one hospital after another for his strange new ideas about "germs" and hand washing. In desperation, he ends up at the door of Dr. Dalrymple, who is eager for help in his thriving and lucrative practice treating "female hysteria."
Hysteria, an affliction of the female nervous system thought to stem from a disorder of the uterus, was at the time the catch-all diagnosis for just about every female ailment, particularly melancholia, nervousness, frigidity, nymphomania and excitability. What we realize now, of course, was that these women were actually suffering -and often quite seriously -from the sheer frustration of the limited, tedious and repressed lives they were forced to live.
A well-bred young woman had no choice but to marry a man she barely knew, submit to his "carnal lusts" with no preparation or expectation of pleasure, run his household, bear his children and do it all while smiling, biting her tongue and wearing a corset. Who wouldn't be depressed, frustrated and, yes, hysterical?
In extreme cases, hysterectomies were performed to remove the "offending" organs. Which says a lot about the complete and utter bigoted ignorance of men in understanding and valuing women's lives and bodies.
It should be noted that only well-to-do women suffered from hysteria. Poor women were too busy simply trying to survive, and barely had access to medical treatment for life-threatening emergencies.
Dr. Dalrymple -superbly played by Jonathan Pryce -specializes in the treatment of hysteria through "medicinal massage" to "lessen the tensions in the womb." With complete sincerity, he explains to Granville (played by Hugh Dancy) that his patients experience "paroxysms" -not to be confused with sexual pleasure, which women are of course incapable of experiencing without masculine penetration.
Granville becomes the doctor's assistant, and is soon suffering intense carpel tunnel and muscle cramps from the prolonged daily "massage" of dozens of women. When idly playing with his friend's new invention -an electric duster -he notices the vibrations bring amazing relief to his near-crippled hand.
Which leads to a moment of spectacular genius for which I am eternally grateful.
There's a love story, too, but it dovetails nicely with the theme of the movie, which is about women taking control of their lives. Maggie plays Dr. Dalrymple's "other" daughter, a passionate suffragette and doer of good works in the poorest parts of London. She sparkles. I think this may be my favorite role for her.
So, let's give a hand (metaphorically speaking) to Dr. Mortimer Granville, the inventor of the vibrator! Perhaps we should all celebrate a "paroxysm" in his honor.
Seriously, check out this very funny and enjoyable movie. If it sounds "risqué" it's really not. There's no nudity, no bad language, and only one kiss in the whole movie. It was actually amazing that they could deal with the subject matter in such a Victorian way. One reviewer has expressed his disgust at watching an "old dried up woman" experiencing pleasure in a completely demure and ladylike way. You'd have to be a serious prude or a sexist, ageist grump to characterize the scene in such a dismissive way. Maybe the more conservative of you might not want to watch it with your parents or children, but my mom would laugh right along with me.
Read Best Reviews of Hysteria (2012) Here
A deliciously fun treatment based (loosely) on the true story of the invention of the personal vibrator.
Dr. Mortimer Granville, a young, inspiring doctor is fired from many jobs in London hospitals due to his firm belief in Germ Theory the idea that infections were caused by germs. Not being a popular theory at the time, he was terminated repeatedly by the "solid Victorian medical foundation" for believing in "quackery."
The only job he can find is with a private practice that prevalently deals with women in the grips of "Hysteria" a quaint, Victorian term for women that are in essence, sex-starved. The treatment? To manually stimulate women with hand massaging until orgasm, thereby relieving the tension and associated emotional stress that comes with the condition. Since this is definitely a temporary relief, obviously the young and attractive doctor soon finds himself overrun with current and new patients leading to the development of a unique form of handstrain! Most certainly, alternative forms of stimulation for women need to be found to keep up.
Heaped on top is his employer, who with two daughters is pushing his "proper" one toward our protagonist for marriage, while the wild, wooly socially unacceptable daughter is the one who actually attracts him.
A comedic, fun historical piece that romps through the bedroom without being dirty or crass and handles delicate subjects beautifully without being dull or "prim." Definitely not for the kiddies (simply for the subject matter instead of any particular scene/situation; I don't think there was one even partially nude scene) but enough fun for adults on a Friday night to snuggle with popcorn and wine to enjoy.
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HYSTERIA is a very light-weight and somewhat charming and humorous look at the development of the vibrator. Just to be clear right from the start, although the movie is Rate R, there is no nudity and very little sexuality. This movie barely rises to the level of titillating, much less erotic. And to be fair, it is not TRYING to do this.
Set in London in 1880, we're introduced to a very backwards medical society, where germs are still a "crazy theory." And most women's problems, whether true mental health issues or simply general dissatisfaction (sexual or otherwise) are chalked up to a diagnosis of Hysteria. We're introduced to a clinic, run by Jonathan Pryce, which is devoted to a cure for hysteria that involves the manual stimulation of women. The women who can afford this treatment are eagerly lining up for it...they are essentially paying to receive stimulation they are not receiving from their husbands. Remember, this is a time when the idea of a woman being aroused without direct input from their husbands is not believed. Women are subject to "hysteria" not sexual frustration.
Into this scene comes a charming young doctor (Hugh Dancy) whose good looks make the hysteria clinic even more popular. And Dancy is introduced to Pryce's two daughters: the seemingly proper and demur Felicity Jones and the rambunctious but charitable Maggie Gyllenhaal. Not surprisingly in the least, he courts Jones but is drawn to Gyllenhaal.
Poor Dr. Dancy begins to suffer from carpel tunnel with all the work he's doing with his wrist. But he happens to be close friends with Rupert Everett, a rich guy with time to tinker with inventions. The two men turn Everett's electric feather-duster into an electric stimulator. From this invention, more plot complexities develop, which I shall not spoil.
The movie's tone is that of light comedy, and the comedy is indeed light. There are very few laugh out loud moments...this is a movie that generates smiles. It is certainly harmless and good-natured. The introduction of this new invention and the subsequent developments are certainly amusing. On the other hand, we make no investment in the romance of the movie or even in the few moments of drama. There is no heft to this film, no lasting impact. It's a nice way to pass 99 minutes, and it's well designed, decorated and costumed.
None of the actors are at their best either, because no one is asked to really do anything significant. Dancy is generically charming and befuddled. Pryce pretty much plays the character he's always asked to. The two ladies are quite generic, because the script doesn't give them anything truly meaty to work with. Gyllenhaal has lots of energy, but it often feels unsupported by circumstance...such as the scene where we first meet her raving around her father's waiting room. She comes across like a crazy person with no propriety, rather than a passionate young lady with strong beliefs. Most amusing in this film is Everett, who gets far too little work these days. This role more or less reminded me of his existence, and he is so droll and funny that I yearn to see him in a meatier role again.
HYSTERIA is amusing and thus, warrants a most modest recommendation. But after writing this review, I will probably virtually forget all about it. Certainly, don't let the subject matter fool you into thinking you're about to see something daring...far from it. You couldn't ask for a more harmless movie about the invention of the vibrator.
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Kevin Hart is too funny! Saw this one at the theater twice (the first time people were laughing so loud/long, I missed some parts! lol). Definitely worth buying as he never gets old. I have been a fan for years and have his other dvds (I'm A Grown Little Man & Seriously Funny) and watch them all the time. Each time, it just gets funnier. You won't be disappointed with this purchase!
