Hysteria

Everyone is welcome, even die-hard puritans, among whom I fortunately do not count myself. Knowing nothing about the film, after reading a brief outline of the plot, I wondered what kind of stuff could come out of it and whether I was in for some shallow, prissy shenanigans, but I was wrong! This is thoroughly enjoyable and tasteful entertainment that does not underestimate the intelligence of its viewer. It lightly and interestingly sketches the period realities and women's awakening struggle for their rights, with the history of the vibrator as a funny bonus. Objectively, it would be about 4*, but for the positive feeling it gave me, I'll rate it slightly higher. Unassuming little gems like this deserve support. (12/05/2012)

Hysteria is an unexpectedly sweet, intelligent, and gently funny spectacle full of fine actors and actresses (Maggie Gyllenhaal and Rupert Everett were the best) that doesn't offend in any way, and tells the story it tells with pleasant detachment. Surprisingly, I didn't mind the romantic plot and the moral lesson about helping the poor. (05/06/2012)

The Brits deliver comedies that are often better than those of their American counterparts. In this regard, Hysteria only confirms this. British humor is simply unique, as evidenced by Hysteria, which tells the story of how one of the most significant inventions—the vibrator—came to be. It originated because women were treated for hysteria by having their genitals stimulated by a doctor to achieve orgasm and thus relax their bodies. However, hand massages were quite demanding, leading to the idea of the vibrator, which in this case resembles a gun from some cosmic sci-fi flick. Hysteria is framed by the beautiful atmosphere of London in the early 20th century, which relates to the clothing style and partly to the dialogue. Nevertheless, it was possible to incorporate genuinely funny moments that moved the plot along. Hysteria is a romantic comedy, which is a pity. If the romantic elements were toned down, it wouldn’t hurt the film at all. The ending is particularly disappointing, as it feels cheap compared to the humor throughout the film. The relationship between Mortimer and Charlotte, played by the excellent Maggie Gyllenhaal, is believable, but in the end, it simply feels too cheap. Rupert Everett brilliantly complements the cast, being undoubtedly the funniest actor throughout the entire runtime. (02/24/2013)

There's no point in dissecting individual performances here—these aren't newcomers, so top-notch acting is a given, and Maggie Gyllenhaal was especially fantastic. While I'm no history buff, I think the director captured the period feel really well. If you're looking for a light, breezy film for a rainy afternoon, Hysteria won’t disappoint. It's a charming movie with a delightful touch. 80%. (04/15/2012)

A horse saddle? A turnip? The poor doctor’s oiled fingers? Not at all. In the times of Victorian progress, non-invasive treatment for hysteria requires electrification! A tasteful comedy with a message of sexual equality and freshness, which lays out its romantic storyline in such a clichéd way that its main characters, the stiff Hugh Dancy and the engaged reformer Maggie Gyllenhaal, shrink in the shadow of the gentlemanly Rupert Everett. By the way, I don’t understand why Dr. Dalrymple didn’t involve the skilled fingers of his younger daughter? If they manage Chopin so well, they could handle other études too. (10/21/2020)