Hysteria
Starring Maggie
Gyllenhaal & Hugh Dancy
Hysteria is based largely on true events
surrounding the invention of the first vibrator. Now, upon first discovery of this film’s
content, I was intrigued, indeed – even amused that a film was being created
about this subject. I waited an entire
year since first hearing about the making of Hysteria and finally had the chance to see it the other night at its
opening in Portland, OR in the Hollywood theater. I was more than pleasantly surprised at not
only how well this movie was done depicting such an event, but more than this –
how extremely crucial the information presented in this film is valuable to the
subject of women’s empowerment today.
Set in the
1880’s, Hysteria introduces how women
were diagnosed with what was termed ‘hysteria’ (continuing on until 1952) – for
symptoms that would describe any empowered self-motivated, passionate woman
today. Women were, in this time, largely
kept at home, responsible for running the household - all the while keeping
silent as to the opinions, ideas and musings going on in their minds. It was thought that women with emotional
outbreaks and ‘incessant thoughts’ were in need of medical attention and so it
is upon this premise that the story line basically begins…in a doctor’s office
where women with ‘hysteria’ are being treated.
This film is
truly entertaining in all respects as the events which lead to the invention of
the vibrator unfold –and in addition to humor, the content is most profound in
the depiction of one woman’s journey – a woman with a voice who would not be
silenced, and the way society ‘handled’ her.
As I watched the unfolding events surrounding Maggie Gyllenhaal’s character,
I began to realize I was like her. I also recognized how many woman in the world
today are still not too much unlike these
‘patients’ visiting the doctor’s office, keeping their mouths shut – obeying
society’s ‘rules’ about how a woman ought to behave. When I realized that it has only been 60
years since the last time a woman was diagnosed with ‘hysteria’ I began to
wonder how much of this history was still playing part in the actions,
motivations and confidence (or lack thereof) in women today?
This movie
is only scheduled to play at the Hollywood theater until Thursday of this
week. I encourage each and every person
to grab a friend or two, or three or more and head down there this week and
watch this film. I sincerely hope we can
lengthen its running time here in this – most liberal city of Portland. We ought to be supporting the education that
comes with such a movie. I applaud,
cheer and deeply thank all those involved in the creation of this film and I
look forward to seeing the effects of such awareness spread as women today are
empowered to speak their true voice and embrace the passionate sensual beings
we are. !!
Check out the trailer: http://youtu.be/gkEw3mWs86g
~Stasia
Bliss
