Augustine 2012

     This film is based on actual events in France of the 19^th century, Dr. Jean-Martin Charcot is treating women with hysteria.  Typically, any presentation of behavior found confusing or objectionable to society was deemed to be hysteric.  Augustine’s cousin brings her to the all female Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital in Paris.  They both work as housemaids in the same household and Augustine is nineteen years old.  Augustine has been having seizures about a couple of times a month.  Her latest episode has left her paralyzed on her left side.  It’s not noticeable to anyone except her left eye remains closed.  She feels it makes her look hideous but she’s hopeful she will leave the hospital quickly.  This doesn’t happen and Dr. Charcot believes Augustine is the perfect example of this type of hysteria condition.  Charcot is known as the father of modern neurology and he pioneered treatments of various ailments from Parkinson’s disease to multiple sclerosis.   He needs funding for his work and he wants to show Augustine off to his colleagues to obtain support.

     A slow paced and subtitled French film focusing on one patient and her experiences.  Augustine begins to grow weary of always hearing there is a cure when she isn’t seeing any progress.  The only change is that her paralysis moves from the left side to the right.  She can now see out of her left eye but her right hand is useless.  There isn’t enough about the real cause of Augustine’s problems and the real treatment for her illness.  It’s all about viewing her illness instead?  2 ½* (This movie is just OK)

102 min, Drama directed by Alice Winocour with Vincent Lindon, Soko, Chiara Mastroianni, Olivier Rabourdin, Roxane Duran, Lise Lametrie, Ange Ruze, Stephan Wojtowicz, Gregory Gadebois, Valentine Herrenschmidt.

Note:  Imdb 6.0 out of 10, 73% critic 52% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 2 ½*.

Special Note:  This film reminded me of the film A Dangerous Method released in 2011 with 6.5 on Imdb.  Directed by David Cronenberg with Michael Fassbender, Keira Knightley and Viggo Mortensen.  It is about Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud and psychoanalysis.  Jung and Freud also treated hysteria in women.