Review: ‘FREUD’S LAST SESSION’ is a perfect storm for intellectuals, cinephiles, and theatre lovers alike

FREUD’S LAST SESSION

In his final days, Sigmund Freud, a recent escapee with his daughter from Nazi regime receives a visit from the formidable Oxford Don C S Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia). On this day, two of the greatest minds of the twentieth century intimately engage in a monumental session over the belief in the future of mankind and the existence of God.

Liv Lisa Fries delivers a stunning performance as Anna Freud, Sigmund’s intellectually accomplished daughter. The complexities of the role will undoubtedly touch a nerve with many viewers. Fries navigates the character splendidly. Matthew Goode plays C.S. Lewis. Coming to Freud for an impromptu therapy session, the audience learns about his childhood and the inspiration for his creative spark of genius. Goode effortlessly matches Hopkins’s energy. He once again establishes himself as a go-to casting choice. His raw vulnerability is captivating. Sir Anthony Hopkins remains at the top of his game. As Freud, he brings curiosity, wit, and curmudgeonly stubbornness all at once. It is yet another notch in Hopkins’s impressive career belt. This ongoing tennis match of masterful acting is perfection for historical drama lovers.

The cinematography and production design are luscious. The editing is lovely. Freud moves about his home, passing through doorways only to be transported through time and memories. Meaningful flashbacks fill the screen as each man shares their intimate history beginning in childhood and explores how it informed their development. The script, alongside the editing, has a dazzling theatricality. This makes more sense once you learn the screenplay was based on Mark St. Germain‘s play, adapted for the screen by Germain and director Matthew Brown. A West End production of FREUD’S LAST SESSION would be delicious. The references to literary figures and quotations are smirk-inducing for the well-read audience, while the overarching existential volley proves delightful.

FREUD’S LAST SESSION delves into moral and philosophical questions while simultaneously captivating with a whimsical and eclectic structure. The lines between doctor and patient constantly blur and shift. Wading through universal queries about religion, sexuality, war, co-dependency, trauma, and death, it is a fascinating must-see.


IN THEATERS DECEMBER 22, 2023

 

IN NEW YORK & LOS ANGELES

(National Roll Out to Follow)




Starring

Anthony Hopkins

Matthew Goode

Liv Lisa Fries

Jodi Balfour



Directed by Matthew Brown



Written by Mark St. Germain and Matthew Brown

Based on Mark St. Germain’s play Freud’s Last Session



Cinematography by Ben Smithard, BSC



Costume Design by Eimer Ni Mhaoldomhnaigh



Editing by Paul Tothill



Music by Coby Brown



Production Design by Luciana Arrighi



London, September 3rd, 1939. The world is on the brink of war.



In his final days, Sigmund Freud, a recent escapee with his daughter from Nazi regime receives a visit from the formidable Oxford Don C S Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia). On this day, two of the greatest minds of the twentieth century intimately engage in a monumental session over the belief in the future of mankind and the existence of God.



Runtime: 109 minutes

NYFF60 review: James Gray’s most personal film, ‘Armageddon Time’ is a relevant and searing character study.

ARMAGEDDON TIME

Writer-director James Gray brings his childhood to life in NYFF60’s feature Armageddon Time. The story centers on twelve-year-old Paul, his familial chaos entering sixth grade, and the global backdrop of 1980 running up to Reagan’s election.

In the press conference that followed the screening, Gray explained the complexity of telling what he described as a “ghost story.” His production design team worked off Gray’s memories; what his china looked like, how his father was always concerned with lights being left on, leading to the actors being lit from adjacent rooms. He admits to telling an honest story, one in which he showed himself as the shithead he was at that age. While I’m not satisfied the film has the climax it needed, it’s Gray’s genuine portrayal of his characters that will stick in my gut.

Sir Anthony Hopkins plays Paul’s grandfather, Aaron. Hopkins nails the role with charm and grace. He is a crucial moral compass for Paul but is also part of the broader problem. Gray explains how this microcosm of one family is just as relevant today, stating that one can be oppressed and still be an oppressor. This idea is never more true as we watch Paul begin to understand white privilege while simultaneously wrestling with his desire to be an artist and feeling unsupported, behavioral acting out, and the subsequent physical discipline.

I asked the cast to discuss their approach to the several physically confrontational scenes in the film. Anne Hathaway plays Paul’s mother, Esther. She shared the importance of building a safe environment while portraying violence. Once trust existed between the cast and crew, it was easier to go to a darker place because they cared for each other like family. Jeremy Strong plays Paul’s father, Irving, a contradictory man who has typical dorky dad moments but also possesses a violent temper. He acknowledged that he and young lead Banks Repeta had a safe word. Jaylin Webb, who is extraordinary as Johnny, discussed his excitement with his work in perfect child actor form, sharing that he and his fellow actors would frequently check in on his comfort level.

Let me explain why the cast’s explanations became of great significance. The most successful aspect of Gray’s script is the nuance in character building. These are not sugar-coated versions of people, but characters in volatile times, racially and economically. Their flaws are exponentially recognizable, regardless of the year. Armageddon Time could be happening right now. The cynical nature of history and generational trauma will have audiences’ hearts in their throats, shaking their heads in shame for much of the film. Therein lies the film’s strongest achievement.

  • James Gray
  • 2022
  • U.S.
  • 114 minutes

Showtimes

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12

6:00 PM

Standby Only

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13

9:00 PM

Buy Tickets

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The Teaser Trailer for ‘Transformers: The Last Knight’ is Here!

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Paramount Pictures has released the teaser trailer for the upcoming sequel Transformers: The Last Knight and we have it for you below!

The movie sees Mark Wahlberg and Josh Duhamel returning for another round of robot action with Anthony Hopkins, Laura Haddock, Jerrod Carmichael and Isabela Moner joining the castThe film is again directed by Michael Bay.

Transformers: The Last Knight hits theatres and IMAX on June 23, 2017

#Transformers

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HBO Released First Teaser for the Upcoming Series “Westworld”

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HBO has released a first look at “Westworld” and we have it for you below!

The story revolves around two guests at a high-tech amusement park go on a wild west adventure. The park is peopled by robots and is designed to provide a 100% life like experience simulating Roman times, cowboy times, and medieval times. When the park’s central computer breaks down, the robots start to run amok and our two guests find themselves stalked by a robot gunslinger.

The cast includes Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood, James Marsden, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Rodrigo Santoro, Shannon Woodward, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Ben Barnes, Jimmi Simpson, Clifton Collins, Jr., Simon Quarterman and Angela Sarafyan.

“Westworld” will debut in 2016

 

New Trailer: Anthony Hopkins in ‘Kidnapping Mr Heineken’ with Sam Worthington, Jim Sturgess & Ryan Kwanten

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Alchemy will release KIDNAPPING MR. HEINEKEN on iTunes/VOD and in theaters March 6, 2015.

In 1983, a group of childhood friends pulled off the crime of the century: kidnapping one of the richest men in the world, the heir of the Heineken beer empire (Anthony Hopkins). The shocking capture–by gunpoint in broad daylight on the streets of Amsterdam–resulted in the largest ransom ever paid for a kidnapped individual. It was truly the perfect crime…until they got away with it. Based on a true story, KIDNAPPING MR. HEINEKEN also stars Anthony Hopkins, Sam Worthington, Jim Sturgess and Ryan Kwanten.  Read More →

Awesome Alert – ‘Westworld’ Starring Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood, James Marsden, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright & More Coming to HBO

WESTWORLD is a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the future of sin.

I gotta say, this looks REALLY promising.

Inspired by the motion picture Westworld, written and directed by Michael Crichton, this one-hour drama features: Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood, James Marsden, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, Miranda Otto, Rodrigo Santoro, Shannon Woodward, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Angela Sarafyan, Simon Quarterman. Read More →