Hysteria (2011)
Average Rating: 5.9/10
Reviews Counted: 118
Fresh: 68 | Rotten: 50
Hysteria has an amusing subject but its winking, vaguely sarcastic tone doesn't do the movie any favors.
Average Rating: 6/10
Critic Reviews: 31
Fresh: 15 | Rotten: 16
Hysteria has an amusing subject but its winking, vaguely sarcastic tone doesn't do the movie any favors.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 13,386
My Rating
Movie Info
Hysteria is a romantic comedy with an accomplished cast led by Maggie Gyllenhaal, Hugh Dancy, Jonathan Pryce, Felicity Jones and Rupert Everett, that tells an untold tale of discovery - the surprising story of the birth of the electro-mechanical vibrator at the very peak of Victorian prudishness. -- (C) Sony Classics
Watch It Now
Cast
-
Hugh Dancy
Mortimer Granville -
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Charlotte, Charlotte Da... -
Jonathan Pryce
Dr. Robert Dalrymple -
Felicity Jones
Emily, Emily Dalrymple -
Rupert Everett
Edmund St. John-Smythe -
Ashley Jensen
Fannie, Fanny -
Sheridan Smith
Molly -
Gemma Jones
Lady St. John-Smythe -
Malcolm Rennie
Lord St. John-Smythe -
Kim Criswell
Mrs. Castellari -
Georgie Glen
Mrs. Parsons -
Hlín Jóhannesdóttir
Mrs. Pearce -
Linda Woodhall
Nurse Smalley -
Kimberly Selby
Lady Wheaton -
John Overstall
Mr. Huddleston -
Anne Comfort
Mrs. Huddleston -
Jonathan Rhodes
PC Fugate -
Leila Schaus
Tess -
Jules Werner
Jack the Coal Man -
Maggie McCarthy
Mrs. Copeland -
Michael Webber
Bailiff -
Perry Blanks
Prison Guard -
Tobias Menzies
Mrs. Squyers -
David Ryall
Judge -
Anna Chancellor
Mrs. Bellamy -
David Schaal
Tough Guy -
Nicholas Woodeson
Dr. Richardson -
Ellie Jacob
Nurse -
Jack Kelly
Footman 1 -
Joan Linder
Dispensary Old Woman Pa... -
Dominic Borrelli
Worker at Edmunds -
Jimmy de Brabant
Major Domo -
Kate Linder
Lady Cherwell -
Corinna Marlowe
Lady Perrigott -
Thomas and Dennis Bonifla
Newsboy -
Sylvia Strange
Queen Victoria
ADVERTISEMENT
Hysteria Trailer & Photos
All Critics (118) | Top Critics (31) | Fresh (68) | Rotten (50) | DVD (2)
Director Tanya Wexler plays things broadly at times, but "Hysteria" has good fun with history while coming off far more wholesome than salacious.
Its 95 minutes move along nicely, and Everett - languid as a cat in a sunbeam - makes his too-brief scenes into master classes of comedy.
The problem with "Hysteria" is that it keeps patting itself and us on the back for knowing better.
Hysteria never gets too preachy or ponderous, and there's something in the film to educate even the most learned viewer.
The movie also makes all the right noises about female sexual liberation. But its good intentions are undermined by sniggering jokes...
A clever love story, an amusing comedy of manners, and a smart message movie.
When you think of vibrators, 'charming' probably isn't the first word that comes to mind.
Given the allure of learning the origins of something as buzzworthy as the vibrator, Hysteria provides just enough pleasures to give it a pass.
Don't be fooled by the period costumes and British accents, Hysteria is as obvious and pandering as comedies get.
The film's light-hearted fictionalising of real events combines a mild feminist history lesson with mildly saucy fun.
Bizarrely, this film is as about as inoffensive as it gets, despite the fact it contains uncountable scenes of Hugh Dancy wanking off bored housewives...
There's probably a fascinating, complex story behind the invention of the vibrator in 19th century London, but this silly farce isn't it
These are gifted actors who have a decent sense of timing, so they're able to add a hint of gravitas beneath the surface while avoiding most of the stereotypes
[B]reezy, witty, and only gently naughty... [H]ello, steampunk orgasm!
It's all rather sweet in its way, as it treads gingerly round and round its subject. Nicely acted too, especially by Gyllenhaal and Pryce.
Beneath its saucy surface Hysteria is a rather sweet romantic comedy.
Sadly, a decent cast, including Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jonathan Pryce and Hugh Dancy, are constrained by a safe script when a spot of wild abandon was required.
Maggie Gyllenhaal channels Emma Thompson on heat. No sale.
Gyllenhaal rises above the tedium; sadly, not far enough. Great English accent, though.
Hysteria is a history lesson customised as a costume comedy.
It's a buzz.
Tanya Wexler's staggeringly bad period comedy wears out its AA batteries fast, despite its teasing premise.
Neither funny enough nor serious enough, Hysteria is a series of constant disappointments and cringe-worthy gags which, in a different era, would probably have ended up as a film called Carry On Climax.
Hysteria is nicely played and has its fair share of decent moments, but the script struggles to find the right tone and it's hard to escape the feeling that the actual true story might have been a bit more interesting.
Hysteria features impressive costumes and sets, but its revolutionary ideas are often lacking due to its overly sexual topic.
Lightly humorous, well performed and not nearly as smutty as you might imagine. The earth may not move, but there are tingles of pleasure along the way.
Audience Reviews for Hysteria
Super Reviewer
Good movie! "Hysteria" is an exuberantly charming romantic comedy, yes, but it's also a surprisingly compelling depiction of a world in transition, when tradition was being challenged by progressive behaviors and technologies. Whether the story is really entirely true or not as it claims or is just a tale of manners, sex and modern sensibilities I don't know. But it is attractive, light and jolly good fun. Everything about Hysteria from casting to the acting, the costumes, the scenery... you name it, all was top notch.
In Victorian London, Dr. Mortimer Granville, a young doctor struggles to establish himself. He is hired by a doctor to investigate treatments for women diagnosed with female hysteria using 'pelvic massage'. The doctor's two daughters develop an interest in the young Dr. Granville, each tempting to woo him.
Super Reviewer
-
- Mortimer Granville: That is the spot indeed.
-
- Mortimer Granville: Don't stop.
- Edmund St. John-Smythe: I think you're enjoying yourself too much.
- Mortimer Granville: It makes your hand feel all...warm and tingly. I feel it right down to the bone.
- Edmund St. John-Smythe: Oh really?
- Mortimer Granville: Turn it back on.
-
- Charlotte Dalrymple: Must be difficult pleasuring half the women in the city.
-
- Emily Dalrymple: Wether you seek it or not Dr. Granville, you are destined for fame.
Discussion Forum
There are no discussion threads for Hysteria yet.
Latest News on Hysteria
May 17, 2012:
Critics Consensus: Battleship Is All WetThis week at the movies brings us a trio of cinematic adaptations from disparate source materials: a...
What's Hot On RT
The Last Stand, Side Effects
Trailer for new Coen Bros movie
Fast & Furious cars gallery
Blockbusters ranked!
Featured on RT
- In Pictures: The Cars of Fast & Furious 0
- Digital Multiplex: Warm Bodies and Aftershock 4
- Discover the Best-Reviewed Films in Summer Movie Scorecard 2013 0
- RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: The Last Stand and Side Effects 16
- Box Office Guru Wrapup: Star Trek Softer Than Expected at #1 85
- Weekly Ketchup: Will Smith to Star in Wild Bunch Remake? 39
- Critics Consensus: Star Trek Into Darkness is Certified Fresh 107
Top Headlines
-
Which Film Franchise Has Been the Best for Female Characters?
2
-
Damon Lindelof Talks Tomorrowland
0
-
10 Movies About Really Fast Cars
0
-
Poltergeist Remake Synopsis Hints at Plot Differences
6
-
Kristen Wiig Says Welcome to Me
1
-
David Fincher's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Gets Bumped
0
-
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance Remake in the Works
0
Foreign Titles
- In guten Händen (DE)
- Oh My God! (FR)










Top Critic