MOVIES AT LA PLAZA: FREUD’S LAST SESSION-- God in the dock

Movie Review by Sergio Martinez

The film, directed by Matthew Brown, opens with the episode of the abrupt arrival of Gestapo agents at Sigmund Freud's (Anthony Hopkins) home in Vienna, an event that would lead to his exile in London, where he would die shortly thereafter. Freud had always felt a great appreciation for Vienna, so his forced departure had contributed to the deterioration of his health. It had probably also exacerbated his critical sense and the angry tone of his words. At that point in his life, he was also struggling with advanced cancer of the jaw.

C.S. Lewis (Matthew Goode) and
Sigmund Freud (Anthony Hopkins) on the questions of God,
the afterlife, science and faith

There is no record that this meeting between the father of psychoanalysis and the writer C.S. Lewis (Matthew Goode) ever took place, but that is no obstacle to the development of the film's plot. What is important is that both characters embody opposing positions on the central theme of the session: the existence of God.

Freud, a Jew who has adopted atheism as his conception of life, is thus involved in a dialogue with Lewis, who has moved from atheism to a very deep adherence to Christianity. Issues such as mortality, the role of God in the world and the presence of evil are addressed in a rather passionate way by Freud, while his interlocutor maintains a more relaxed tone, though no less firm in defending his position.

Freud and the death of his
granddaughter: "What kind of God would 
allow such a thing?"

As concrete illustrations of these themes, at one point the dialogue is interrupted and Freud and his visitor must rush to a subway shelter in the face of an air raid warning over London. When the conversation is resumed, other events unfold in the background affecting Freud in some way. His daughter Anna (Liv Lisa Fries) must confront her own compulsive devotion to her father, which even interferes somewhat with her work and her lesbian relationship with Dorothy Tiffany Burlingham (Jody Balfour).

Undoubtedly one of the strongest moments in the confrontation with Lewis over God occurs when Freud brings up the death of his little granddaughter, only five years old. "What kind of God would allow such a thing?"

C.S. Lewis had moved from
atheism to deep religious views

Freud, who perceives that he will soon die, also addresses the issue of what happens after that moment with particular vehemence: certainly for him that is the end of everything. Lewis, for his part, will also have his rejoinder on the subject, although it will sound less strong than Freud's sharp critical vision. Science, faith, love and the human condition clash or complement each other, depending on the point of view of each of the interlocutors, in a way that leaves the audience pondering their own judgments on the subject.

With scenes mostly set indoors, the film emphasizes its intimate character and the more theatrical than cinematic atmosphere. It does, however, allow us to appreciate the solid performances of the great master Hopkins, and Goode, both of whom bring out the contradictory sides of the characters.

Freud's Last Session is a film that will surely delight those who are interested in these philosophical issues of human existence and the psychological and religious aspects that this discussion also involves.

Running time: 118 min.