14. A Dangerous Method
Another anomaly in Cronenberg's canon is the biopic A Dangerous Method, although there is no surprise in the fact that the director is intrigued by the ideas of psychoanalysts Freud and Jung (especially when one considers the hyper-sexuality that drives much of his body horror). His third film to star Viggo Mortensen, it's actually a fairly enjoyable and intriguing watch, though it suffers from not being particularly Cronenbergian. It's quite an interesting and innovative take on the biopic. A study of the relationship between Freud (Mortensen), Jung (Michael Fassbender) and Sabina Spielrein (Keira Knightley), Cronenberg weaves the two psychoanalysts' discussions of sexuality into the actual relationships depicted onscreen. Effectively, he uses a fictionalised account of the lives of Jung and Freud to identify and explore the themes of the two men. Cronenberg is renowned for layering the themes of his work, but to do it in a biopic is remarkably brave. Couple that with the fantastic lead performances (Mortensen and Fassbender are truly electric when onscreen together here) and you have a very, very good film. Just don't expect gaping orifices and exploding eyeballs...