They are in FREUD’S LAST SESSION

 

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres from director Mathew Brown and Sony Picture Classics comes a stunning look at two men questioning their own existence with FREUD’S LAST SESSION.

Jack, C.S. Lewis (Matthew Goode), finds himself meeting with Sigmund Freud (Anthony Hopkins) and the conversation between has Jack thrown. They begin by discussing their differences in religion which is taking place as all around them in England they are preparing for World War II. Jack also notices that there is something peculiar in Freud’s physical behavior.

Taking care of her father is Anna (Liv Lisa Fries) who is also in the field of psychology and teaches at the university along with friend Dorothy Burlingham (Jodi Balfour). She is tied to her father in such a knot that Dorothy worries that her friend does not have a will of her own. That causes tension in their friendship but Anna, in fact, knows she speaks the truth.

The afternoon between Jack and Freud stops briefly as there is a bomb-dropping threat and Freud begins to see his companion’s pain. They discuss Jack’s experience in World War I and Freud openly discusses the relationship with his own father. Both men are ardent in their beliefs and change might not happen for either.

Freud, however, is curious about Jack’s friendship with J.R.R. Tolkien and where his desire to write about fantasy comes from. There begins Freud’s openness with the discussion of sex and tries to explain to Jack that everything is about sex but not in the way most people think. Although Jack, at times, is frustrated with Freud, there is also a clear bond forming between the two men as realizations come forefront with no escape emotionally for either of them.

Hopkins as Freud is stellar, stunning and absolutely perfect for the role. In this character he gives us a man who is confrontational, a bit manipulative, believes in what he is saying but could be persuaded with a bit of humor. The character of Freud seems, at times, almost amused by the questions Jack asks and always has an answer that either stuns or brings on another question. Astounding. Surrounded by statues of ‘gods’ and saints, Hopkins shows Freud as a man who has lived a painful life in his own right and someone who is considering his own mortality. I adored watching Hopkins mastery in this film, pure perfection.

Goode as Jack (C.S. Lewis) is a man also sure of his convictions about God and man. Goode performs his character as catching out Freud in such a smooth way but never really cornering the very smooth Freud. Jack doesn’t seem to have a malicious bone in his body but sparing with Freud seems to bring him to thinking more about his beliefs and the fears that are still following him. I must say that Goode stunned me in this role, he brought out a deep sense of me wanting to protect Jack in a way from ‘the monster’ which means this actor did his job also with pure perfection.

Fries as Anna is a woman who is tied to her father in ways that are so deep that even Jack brings it up to Freud. She has grown to be a respected professor in child psychology and teaches but the moment her father calls, she is panicked to the point of terror. Fries portrays her character with grace and left me wanting to know more of her story. Balfour as Jodi is a friend who sees what Anna is going through and interjecting means causing Anna more pain. Her role might be small but it has big significance.

Cast also includes Jeremy Northam as Ernest Jones and Orla Brady as Janie Moore, Stephen Moore as JRR Tolkien, Rhys Mannion as a young C.S. Lewis, Padraic Delaney as Warren Lewis, Tarek Bishara as Jacob Freud and Lukas Sweeney as young Sigmund Freud.

Sony Pictures Classics brings television, digital content, new entertainment services, independent films and technologies to viewers. Such films as GREED, THE BURNT ORANGE HERESY, THE CLIMB, CHARM CITY KINGS, I CARRY YOU WITH ME and THE FATHER are just a few of the current and upcoming releases. For more information on what Sony Pictures Classics has to offer please visit www.sonyclassics.com. 

FREUD’S LAST SESSION is a brilliant piece of filmmaking telling the story of two men who are coming to terms with their fears during a terrifying time in history. The backdrop of World War II brings a sense of urgency for these two men to talk before there is no time to talk. As people pack up to go anywhere but where they are is prevalent, so is seeing children being put on trains in order to save them from what might be coming.

I have read many books on Freud and although he is revered, I recognized a few quirks in his life and can be linked to the parts of his life that were traumatic. Reading C.S. Lewis (and Tolkien) has been part of my life since I was a child. So, having these two men in a film together portrayed by Hopkins and Goode in such an amazing way, FREUD’S LAST SESSION is award worthy.

The last ten minutes of the film had my jaw dropping as the visitation between Freud and Jack come to a challenging point. Yet, at the same time, I saw some truth in both of these beautiful characters. The film is based on the stage play Freud’s Last Session written by Mark St. Germain and that is based on the book The Question of God by Armand Nicholi.

In the end – so many questions, so little time!