A Dangerous Method

By Lisa Blanck

How do you portray a woman who, in reality, was less than a footnote in the development of the Jungian psychological “Talking Cure” theory, but, as we‘re being told here, was perhaps the cornerstone in its’ evolution from the theoretical to the practical?

In David Cronenberg’s A Dangerous Method, Sabina Spielrein, as seen through the eyes of actress Keira Knightley, is first brought to us as an intelligent 18 year-old woman who is being involuntarily admitted to a Zurich clinic for the psychologically unstable. Spielrein, who comes from a wealthy family, has gone through extreme bouts of hysteria and mania for most of her life, and her symptoms have progressed to the level where she can no longer remain in the public eye.  She has become an embarrassment to herself and her family, and, sadly,  she is still astute enough to acknowledge this fact. Her hand and arms flail about; she cannot abide any form of violence or degradation, though she, herself, is prone to violence, along with a variety of extreme jaw-jutting facial tics.  In fact, every time Knightly unhinged her jaw, I was waiting for it to drop open and see an alien tongue whip out.

The Zurich clinic she is admitted to is run by 29 year old Dr. Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender), who is an acolyte of the well known Dr. Sigmund Freud (Viggo Mortenson).  Though the two have not yet met, it is apparent that Dr. Jung reveres Dr. Freud’s theories connecting sexuality and emotional disorders, and wants to further explore these theories.  He finds a most willing subject in the beautiful, troubled Sabina.  Spielrein reveals that she was beaten many times by her father in the “little room”, the beatings beginning at a very young age.  Jung, upon further utilization of the “Talking Cure”, which we today simply call the 50- minute hour session with our analyst, exposes an obvious sexual link to Spielrein’s symptoms.  Sabina tells Jung that each beating session made her excited.  In fact, even hearing her father say the words “little room” got her aroused.

But, at the same time, these sexual feelings made her feel ashamed, and so her mind and body began to battle against each other, and her physical manifestations of this battle became uncontrollable.  In one scene, Jung is beating the dust out of a coat, and Sabina flees from the view of what to her is stimulating behavior which excites her, yet simultaneously shames and confuses her.

Once Sabina’s thoughts are revealed to Jung, he begins to pursue a written and then in-person discourse with Freud, in order to get his opinion on the case.  This unfolding of this entire episode begins in 1904, pre-World War One.  Freud’s psychosexual theories have been debated by other doctors for years;  sometimes he is in, sometimes he is out.   But since he is Jewish, Freud allots part of his critics’ rancor for his theories to his religion, rather than to the theories

themselves.  Throughout the film, Freud is always seen puffing or holding his cigar, which struck me as a bit over the top. 

In a most objectionable breaking of the doctor-patient relationship, Jung, so very much intrigued by his number one patient, spending all of his time with her, discussing her case, Freud, and psychological theories in general, begins a tumultuous affair with Sabina.  She is thrilled, as is he, until he realizes that his wealthy wife has become cognizant of the affair.  Although his wife will not outwardly accuse Jung, he knows that the affair must come to an end.  He cannot afford to lose his financial backing.

This is a disastrous blow to Sabina, who tries to enlist Dr. Freud’s help in the matter.  Freud, at first, does not believe the claims that Sabina is making regarding the affair. When he hears the truth from Carl, his is greatly dismayed by his once-protégé.     

Throughout A Dangerous Method, we are only presented with one other patient of Dr. Jung, a man named Otto Gross, who has been referred to him by Dr. Freud.  Gross is a man of dubious morality and a complete disbeliever in monogamy and, though his is a patient, greatly influences Dr. Jung into embarking on the affair with Sabina.

It is apparent from the outset that nothing in this film will end well.  Doctors taking advice from their patients.  Men having multiple affairs while their wives suffer in silence.  It was apparent that Dr. Jung took full advantage of Sabina, mentally and physically.  In fact, he became a substitute father figure to her, reinforcing the psychosexual urges that tormented her - punishing her and then taking her back, and then, as a denouement, when it was no longer convenient for him, he disposed of her, like one of Freud’s nasty cigars. 

A well-paced film, but it may have to search to find an audience, much in the same fashion as I had to do a Wiki search to find any mention of a Sabina Spielrein.  Although Sabina managed to overcome her tremendous obstacles, in the development of psychological theory, she is non-existent