Hysteria

About This Movie

Hysteria is a quirky little gem that plays with the absurdity of Victorian morals. Tanya Wexler’s direction keeps things light and often humorous, but there's an undercurrent of real social commentary about women's health and sexuality. The performances, especially from Maggie Gyllenhaal, add a charming depth. The pacing kind of bounces along, never dragging, which is nice for a period piece. The production design feels authentic, and you can tell they had fun with the costumes and settings. It’s a film that doesn’t take itself too seriously, yet it manages to tackle some interesting themes about liberation and the evolution of intimacy. Plus, the historical twist on how vibrators came to be is just deliciously ironic.

Released: May 2011 in the USRunning time: 100 minutesRated R for sexual contentShot on location in England