Augustine

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Alain E @AlainE Jul 24 This is an extraordinarily powerful first movie. Prior to this Alice Winocour had done a few well received shorts. The direction of the actors, the photography and the music are very successful. Part of the story is based on facts, but there is no evidence that Charcot, the pioneering French neurologist, ever had a sexual relationship with his hysteric patient. In any event five sixths of the movie are very impactful. Soko delivers an impressive interpretation as the illiterate kitchen aid who is subject to attacks of “epilepsy “. See more Scott R @ScottR 11/04/2020 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. See more 04/14/2014 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. See more 10/26/2013 I'm a sucker for period movies and if its french even better... See more 10/15/2013 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. See more 09/12/2013 not as interesting as i thought it would be See more Read all reviews

Augustine

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