This move will be remembered for the performance by Keira Knightley as the sexually complicated patient of Dr. Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender) even though 2011 will be remembered as the year of Michael Fassbender.  In the year 2011, Fassbender is also credited with starring roles in “Shame” “X-Men: First Class” “Jane Eyre” “Haywire” and a short film entitled “Pitch Black Heist.”   Fassbender versus Ryan Gosling who starred in “Drive” “Crazy, Stupid Love” and Clooney’s “The Ides of March.”

If you don’t know who Fassbender and Gosling are, then you are too old or not going to enough movies.  But that’s ok because I’m young and go to a lot of movies and you are my friend so we’re good.  My 19 year old niece, Lizzie B., knows them quite well.

Knightley’s Sabina Speilrein has a shot at a nomination for Best Supporting Actress because I believed her when she went into contortions when asked by the famous Dr. Jung “…tell me about the first time your father beat you.”   The movie is based on a true account of the relationships between Jung and Sigmund Freud (Viggo Mortensen) and Jung and his Russian patient/lover Speilrein.  I’m not letting the cat out of the bag if you know your psychoanalysis history.  Freud and Jung were the founding fathers of what we now casually call “therapy.”   There is much controversy about Freud’s relating most events to sex, but these guys got it all started.  Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Director David “A History of Violence” Cronenberg, 67, created a beautifully constructed film that articulates an intriguing story of the mysteries of Freud and Jung in the early twentieth century.  I don’t know much about these guys, but occasionally I’m pretty sure I have a Freudian slip.

While I’m touting Knightley, let’s remember that Fassbender and Mortensen are outstanding not to mention Vincent “Black Swan” Cassel’s magnificent portrayal of Otto Gross, but quite simply, Knightley won the acting contest among these four accomplished actors.  Cronenberg is one of our best and this movie is extraordinary and will reach classic status because of the odd subject matter matched with a brilliant production.  It’s just not a fun movie and will never have a broad appeal, but if you are searching for a fascinating plot, sensational acting and editing, memorable costumes and set designs, and captivating music, then this is the movie for you.  Rock ‘n Roll.

Grade 90.  Larry H.