Weeks before his death, and on the day that war is declared, an ailing Sigmund Freud had a meeting with an unnamed Oxford Don. Matthew Brown’s film, based on the stage play by Mark St. Germain, imagines that meeting was with C.S. Lewis. The ground breaking psychoanalyst, played by Anthony Hopkins was as vociferous in his belief that God does not exist, as the author, played by Matthew Goode was that he did. This clash of beliefs and their conversation, mainly circling round the issue, forms the core of the film.
Their scenes together, in Freud’s ‘den’ are the highlights of the movie, as both the outstanding leads flex their acting muscles. Hopkins relishes his part, though his accent wavers. Goode is more restrained, but no less effective.
Presumably, in an attempt to make it more cinematic, Brown gives us various dream sequences, flashbacks and hallucinations, but they add little and actually detract from the intensity. However, mainly because of a third excellent performance from Liv Lisa Fries, the scenes of Sigmund’s daughter, Anna, work better.
For those who have seen the play, this film may not have as much to offer to those of us who have not, but I found it intelligently written and compelling.
Rating: 8 out of 10