Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by mr grits (A) on December 24, 2008 at 07:03:47

It's 1913 Hungary when Dr Brenner (Ulrich Thomsen) arrives at an insane asylum to take his new post. Brenner bares a striking resemblence to a young Freud with his reliance on psychoanlaysis, cigars, and morphine.

Brenner not only "shinks heads" but writes as well. Unfortunately, his creative well has run dry which has exacerbated his reliance on morphine injections. Brenner meets Gizella (Kirsti Stubo) who has been a "patient" for over ten years in the asylum. Gizella, who believes the devils is possessing her and eating her away compulsively writes volume after volume of notes and thoughts day in and out. Once Brenner sees this he focuses on her as a source of inspiration and becomes strangely attracted to her.

This story is beautifully filmed with great attention to historical detail and medical practices of the time. It is a look at the end of primitive treatment and the beginning of more modern thinking on the subject. The story that develops between Brenner and Gizella shows the taboos of the era and the result of crossing those lines.

Solid 4 out of 5.

Edits: 12/24/08