27/46
Lewis in Shadowlands (1993)
Chronology
Psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud invites C.S. Professor Lewis to discuss the existence of God, Freud’s unique relationship with his daughter, and Lewis’s unusual relationship with his best friend’s mother. Anthony Hopkins played CSS 30 years before the film. Lewis searches for the Gospels while a woman who appears to be his wife calls him to bed. The film is set in 1939, but Lewis did not marry Joy Davidman Gresham until 1956.
36, ‘Enigma’ Variation 9: Nimrod
That woman was actually Janie Moore, with whom Lewis lived until 1949. [last lines] Sigmund Freud: From error to error one discovers the whole truth.. Featured on The 7PM Project: Episode 19 April 2024 (2024). Variations on an Original Theme, Op. Concert: Edward Elgar Performed by the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra (as the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra) & Adrian Leaper (conductor) Courtesy of Naxos Music UK Ltd.
Lewis (Matthew Goode)
Freud’s Last Session, rated strictly as a work in progress from start to finish, is not a fantastic film (probably more of a 6-star). But director/writer Matt Brown’s effort contains enough interesting philosophical tidbits – supported by one great performance – to make it enjoyable for those who can sit down and watch it. For a very simple overview, Freud’s Last Lecture is a fictional meeting – which may or may not have happened – between the titular psychoanalyst (Anthony Hopkins) and Christian apologist C.S. The two trade philosophical worldviews in Freud’s house as the doctor’s daughter Anna (Liv Lisa Fries) grapples with her own relationship with her famous father, as well as her close relationship with colleague Dorothy Burlingham (Jodi Balfour). I’m not entirely sure if Freud’s Last Session was ever made into a play, but if so, this might be a better format for it.
atheism hits the ground running)
Since the film is essentially an intellectual duel between two academics, it’s a bit of an odd fit for the big screen or a presentation. Brown tries to spice things up with a plot line involving Freud’s daughter and various flashbacks, but these trips feel a bit forced and ultimately serve to distract from the “main event.” Fortunately, the film has two things in its corner: First, the back-and-forth is genuinely thought-provoking (as the slightly familiar religion vs. Some of the lines really stuck with me. Second, Hopkins continues to deliver transformative performances. His fans won’t regret getting accepted just because he was here.
Overall, I give Freud’s Last Meeting 7/10 stars
Technically it’s not even that good” is a flick, but Hopkins’ performance and the overall setup are enough for even nominally interested in the premise to find plenty of fun in it.