Augustine

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Augustine

Released May 17, 2013

1h 42m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

76%

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37 Reviews

52%

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500+ Ratings

In 1885, Professor Charcot studies an illness that causes hysteria. He meets Augustine -- barely out of childhood -- and as he becomes obsessed with her, she tries harder and harder to seduce him.

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David Zuckerman

Film Comment Magazine

Trading historical detail for atmospheric sensuality doesn't do this story justice.

Nov 5, 2013

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Tom Long

Detroit News

By the film's end, it's clear what Augustine is running from, but it's hard to grasp where she was in the first place.

Rated: C

Jul 11, 2013

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Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

That the film raises interesting questions might be good enough, except that, while the movie goes about denying us information we want, it gives us details we don't need. "Augustine" churns slowly and doesn't make for compelling viewing.

Rated: 2/4

Jul 5, 2013

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Annlee Ellingson

CineWomen

In a film throbbing with candlelit mood and innuendo, Augustine wrests that which we want for our heroines: control over her own fate and vengeance on those who would keep it from her.

Aug 17, 2022

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Sarah Brinks

Battleship Pretension

Augustine is a slow but never boring film that examines a real life doctor and his quest to improve neurology and a patient who challenges him personally and professionally.

Feb 24, 2021

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Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

An entrancing, impressionistic portrayal of historical sexism and exploitation.

Aug 12, 2019

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s r

I saw this because a prominent neurologist recommended it. Sadly I saw it years after his recommendation and without anyone to provide insight to the disease etc. regardless, it was still enjoyable, but confusing. Amazon Prime was the medium.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

This slow and subtitled French film based on actual events won't be one many are going to out-right enjoy although I found it to be rather interesting as I find its subject matter -- 19th century female hysteria -- to be most fascinating. The film is about Augustine, a young French housemaid (French singer/actress Soko), who suffers a debilitating seizure and is thus admitted to a Parisian psychiatric hospital and treated by renown physician Jean-Martin Charcot (Vincent Lindon - Bastards). In a medical field that was dominated by men, it was (frighteningly) common for any woman who experienced something that a man couldn't easily explain/understand to be diagnosed with "hysteria". If a woman acted in any manner that society found confusing or objectionable, she was a "hysteric" who could find herself subjected to some horrifyingly abhorrent and offensive "treatment" at the hands of men who claimed a medical interest in her well-being. The time period and understanding of this predominately female ailment IS fascinating; but I think a better film would have focused more on the doctor and his evolving understanding of hysteria over the years following his time with this one patient; but that is not what we are given with Augustine. Again, this is hard to "enjoy" but it is one that could hopefully shed some more light on this bizarre chapter of modern medicine.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

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Audience Member

I'm a sucker for period movies and if its french even better...

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

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Audience Member

It's a bit slow, but I did like Winocours approach to "Augustine", as we explore the girls quizzical illness from her own misinformed perspective.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

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Audience Member

not as interesting as i thought it would be

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

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Audience Member

I still don't know what is true and what is pretending in this movie.A good premise but a poor development.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

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Alice Winocour

Director

Vincent Lindon

Jean-Martin Charcot

Soko

Augustine

Chiara Mastroianni

Constance Charcot

Olivier Rabourdin

Bourneville

Roxane Duran

Rosalie

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Synopsis

In 1885, Professor Charcot studies an illness that causes hysteria. He meets Augustine -- barely out of childhood -- and as he becomes obsessed with her, she tries harder and harder to seduce him.

Director: Alice Winocour
Producer: Isabelle Madelaine, Emilie Tisné
Screenwriter: Alice Winocour
Distributor: Music Box Films
Production Co: Darius Films, Dharamsala, France 3 Cinéma, ARP
Genre: Drama
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): May 17, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 17, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $107.1K
Runtime: 1h 42m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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