Augustine

Plods on AND it's in French, so probably not a good choice to watch if you're not fully awake. The film seemed as if the producers' idea was to convey a dark mood by filming a couple F-stops short of normal illumination. Over all I would not recommend this movie.

No aspect of filmmaking is less than terrific in AUGUSTINE. The acting, props, camera work and direction are top notch. The tale intrigued me from beginning to a surprising and spectacular ending. There's a scant half dozen COMMENTS so far for this film and I won't pass judgment on the ones that take issue with the substance of the film; i.e., female hysteria, 18th century ideas of treatment and civil liberty, male domination, etc. To me such are besides the point. It is what it is - or rather, was what it was. AUGUSTINE is driven by -no, is exclusively about- two individuals trapped in their settings and stations and the human chemistry that results. AUGUSTINE is the movie that A DANGEROUS METHOD wanted to be. I was fearful that French cinema was descending into Americanized garbage. AUGUSTINE eases such fears.

A perhaps too subtle view of the famous neurologist Dr. Jean-Martin Charcot and his treatment of the so-called disease, hysteria, at the Salpetriere Hospital. This hospital and asylum in 19th Century Paris was a refuge to over five thousand debilitated and abandoned women. Wished for a more in-depth look. Still, exceedingly better than the more recent movie, 'The Mad Women's Ball'. For a truly comprehensive view of Charcot and his work with hysteria, I suggest reading 'The Dream Collector' by the Pulitzer nominee, R.w. Meek. Maybe someday we will see a film or tv series adaption of this magnificent novel.

This film kept my attention from start to finish. Beautiful woman, mysterious ailment, reserved doctor, 19th century setting, beautiful costumes, beautiful settings and scenery. Sensuous undertones and a dash of smoldering sexually. I must watch again, this time with my lady.

I am a man of letters and my review is more than adequate. Requiring ten lines before a review may be published does a disservice to those who write reviews and those who read (or more accurately, can not) the reviews.

This film kept my attention from start to finish. Beautiful woman, mysterious ailment, reserved doctor, 19th century setting, beautiful costumes, beautiful settings and scenery. Sensuous undertones and a dash of smoldering sexually. I must watch again, this time with my lady.

I am a man of letters and my review is more than adequate. Requiring ten lines before a review may be published does a disservice to those who write reviews and those who read (or more accurately, can not) the reviews.

This film kept my attention from start to finish. Beautiful woman, mysterious ailment, reserved doctor, 19th century setting, beautiful costumes, beautiful settings and scenery. Sensuous undertones and a dash of smoldering sexually. I must watch again, this time with my lady.

I am a man of letters and my review is more than adequate. Requiring ten lines before a review may be published does a disservice to those who write reviews and those who read (or more accurately, can not) the reviews.

Story based on a real person, so big plus. Hysteria is a strange and intriguing state. We want to know more. The film captures the intrigue, which ultimately turns unexpectedly.