Sigmund Freud is the famed Austrian neurologist who created the theory of psychoanalysis in the late 19th century. Freud worked with hypnosis to treat psychopathology in his patients but developed and tested the theory that a patient should be encouraged to speak freely with a psychoanalyst using “free association” and analyzing the patient’s dreams could help uncover unconscious repressions leading to depression and other psychiatric disorders. During the time he worked on his theories, Freud was suffering from depression over the death of his father and had related physical symptoms. He worked on his own self-analysis.
Freud’s psychoanalysis was groundbreaking and he worked with some of the best doctors of the time. His theories are still applied to psychiatry and medicine today. There have been many biographies and films written about Sigmund Freud during the past century. In 1962, John Huston directed the film “Freud: The Secret of Passion” starring Montgomery Cliff as Freud and written by Jean Paul Sartre. In 2011 David Cronenberg directed “A Dangerous Method” which delved into the relationship of Freud and his colleague Carl Jung. The film starred Viggo Mortinsen as Sigmund Freud, Michael Fassbender as Carl Jung and Keira Knightly as Jung’s patient, Sabina Spielrein.
The story of Sigmund Freud’s mentorship of Carl Jung is probably the best way to capture how the 2 men came up with theories that would change psychology forever. The relationship was dynamic and Jung went on to dispute some of Freud’s theories. Like “A Dangerous Method”, a German film that not only depicts Freud’s life as he became a reputable doctor who had to flee Austria when the Nazis came to power because Freud was a Jewish man. Freud would go on to mentor Dr. Carl Jung, another great psychiatrist of the time.
In “A Dangerous Method” Freud and Jung debate the treatment of Jung’s severely disturbed but intelligent patient Sabina Spielrein who suffered serious trauma as a child including abuse by her father. In his treatment of Spielrein (and his affair with her), Jung determined that although Freud’s psychoanalysis would determine the cause of psychiatric trauma disorders but would not work to treat it. This caused a major rift with Freud and ultimately a century of determining the best future of psychiatry.
Who would be perfectly cast in another Sigmund Freud film?
Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt would make the perfect role of Sigmund Freud. Pitt has played period dramas before and looks somewhat believable as Freud. He most likely would narrow down the Austrian accent. It would certainly be interesting to see Pitt as Dr. Freud in his prime. Freud’s early life and marriage to Martha Bernays with whom he had 6 children could be delved into as well as his progress as a prominent neuro-psychologist. Freud’s relation with Jung became tumultuous and Jung actually outed Freud’s alleged affair with Martha’s sister.
Ryan Reynolds
Who better to play Dr. Carl Jung than Ryan Reynolds? Reynolds has shown himself to be a good actor who can play characters with charisma, charm and depth. He would be great cast under the mentorship of Pitt’s Freud and believable as a psychiatrist who developed groundbreaking theories that would discount his mentor’s theories. His relationship and subsequent affair with his patient Spielrein could be explored in the context of his parting ways with Dr. Freud.
Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman would make a great Sabrini Spielrein. Her beauty, intelligence, frailty and strength would make a great portrayal of the patient who Jung loved. Portman would certainly round out the cast.
Ron Howard
The award winning director has proven that he can do it all. He has directed films of all genres. Particularly, 2001’s “A Beautiful Mind” comes to mind. Howard did a great job directing the biographical drama about John Nash, a brilliant mathematician suffering from paranoid schizophrenia.
Follow Us
