Death is as cruel as life.

Anthony Hopkins gives yet another masterful performance as the Father of modern psychoanalysis, Dr Sigmund Freud in director Matthew Brown’s latest film Freud’s Last Session co-starring Matthew Goode as the famed author and creator of the talking lion, Aslan, C.S.Lewis

Set on September 2nd 1939, two days after Germany invaded Poland, thus beginning the devastating second World War, Dr Freud invites Jack (C.S.) Lewis to his house in London to discuss theology as Lewis is a staunch believer in God and Freud is an atheistic scientist who’s logic denies him the choice to believe.

This film is based on the stage play by Mark St Germain, who also wrote the screenplay and was originally based on a book The Question of God by Armand Nicholi.
It takes place a mere three weeks before the death of the great man, Dr Sigmund Freud and we get an elegantly written piece of cinema that tackles some of the great questions about life, death and what ever else may exist in our world views. 

Sir Anthony Hopkins as Dr Freud and Matthew Goode as Jack (C.S.) Lewis in Freud’s Last Session

It’s always an absolute joy to spend time with Sir Anthony, even at the tender age of 86 he manages to show that he remains one of the absolute best screen actors living today along with the always excellent Matthew Goode who is a willing and a very able, brilliant acting partner.

We get a glimpse into Lewis’s time spent during World War 1 and Freud’s relationship with his daughter and primary care-giver, Anna who is having a relationship with her colleague whom Sigmund seemingly disapproves of.

The back and forth dialogue between Freud and Lewis, which takes place predominantly in Freud’s study (which is filled, ironically with small statues of Gods and Goddesses) about the possibility or not of the existence of God is wonderfully written, paced and acted.

Agree to disagree????

I love me a film like this. Intelligent, thought-provoking and stimulating, it’s a breath of fresh air in the current world where action, spectacle and distraction are rife. Here, we are gifted with discussion, debate and disagreement without any of the modern day shouting, fragile ego-protecting and desperate clinging to a mere opinion. Absolutely refreshing.

The music by Coby Brown is filled with strings and orchestration that beds the scenes with gentleness and subtle emotion.

If you like a film where you can really chew on the material and feel like you’ve been to a Michelin star restaurant, check this one out.