Freud’s Last Session 2023 Movie Review

 In "Freud’s Last Session," we step into a fictional encounter between C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud in 1939 London, set against the backdrop of Hitler's invasion of Poland. The play, adapted into a film, explores the unlikely meeting between the atheist Freud and the religious Lewis, with Freud curious about how such an intellectual like Lewis believes in God.

The encounter, created for a play in 2009, is imaginary, but it takes place in a real historical context. It's September 1939, and war is looming. Despite the urgent events of World War II, Freud, who is battling oral cancer and knows his time is limited, seeks out Lewis to discuss matters of faith.

Director Matthew Brown, working with playwright Mark St. Germain, uses the wartime setting to break away from the play's stage origins. An air raid sends the characters to a church, leading to a reflective conversation about Lewis's experiences in World War I. Freud unexpectedly showcases his knowledge of Christian iconography, revealing a layer beyond his professed interest in simple art appreciation.

The best film expands beyond the original play, introducing Freud's daughter, Anna, a pioneer in child psychoanalysis. The relationship between Freud and Anna becomes a central theme, portraying her intense devotion to her father. However, Freud's professional curiosity about her mind seems to overshadow his compassion as a father.

The dynamics between Freud and Anna add complexity to the story, but the best film doesn't fully clarify the implications of their codependency. The intellectual debates between Freud and Lewis, while carefully written, may feel somewhat restrained. Lewis argues about the disorganization of the Gospels, while Freud dismisses it as "bad storytelling."

The movie attempts to bridge their differences, symbolized in a somewhat unusual scene where Lewis assists Freud with a dental prosthesis. Anthony Hopkins, playing Freud, brings depth to the character, contrasting with Matthew Goode's portrayal of Lewis.

Freud’s Last Session Movie 

• Rating: 8.6/10

• Director: Matt Brown

• Writer: Matt Brown, Mark St. Germain