good vibrations
10/10
Author: Lee Eisenberg (lee.eisenberg.pdx@gmail.com) from Portland, Oregon, USA
4 August 2013

Tanya Wexler's "Hysteria" is about Dr. Mortimer Granville's invention of the electric vibrator to give women orgasms and how it set the stage for the elimination of feminine hysteria as a medical diagnosis. Although focusing on a true story, this is a very funny movie. A lot of the humor comes from the obvious absurdity of the Victorian mores. Hugh Dancy plays the lead role, but Maggie Gyllenhaal's suffragist is the truly important character.

It's one of those movies that manages to be both mordant and entertaining at the same time, and I'm sure that you'll enjoy it. Also starring are Jonathan Pryce, Felicity Jones, Rupert Everett and Ashley Jensen (Christina on "Ugly Betty").