Hysteria (2011)

The truth of how Mortimer Granville devised the invention of the first vibrator in the name of medical science.

Director:

Tanya Wexler

Writers:

Stephen Dyer (story), Jonah Lisa Dyer (story),

Stars:

Hugh Dancy, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jonathan Pryce

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hugh Dancy	...	Mortimer Granville
Maggie Gyllenhaal	...	Charlotte Dalrymple
Jonathan Pryce	...	Dr. Robert Dalrymple
Felicity Jones	...	Emily Dalrymple
Rupert Everett	...	Edmund St. John-Smythe
Ashley Jensen	...	Fannie
Sheridan Smith	...	Molly
Gemma Jones	...	Lady St. John-Smythe
Malcolm Rennie	...	Lord St. John-Smythe
Kim Criswell	...	Mrs. Castellari
Georgie Glen	...	Mrs. Parsons
Elisabet Johannesdottir	...	Mrs. Pearce
Linda Woodhall	...	Nurse Smalley
Kim Selby	...	Lady Wheaton
John Overstall	...	Mr. Huddleston

Storyline

In 1880 pioneering doctor Mortimer Granville,sacked from various hospitals for challenging his superiors' out-moded methods,gets a job with Dr Dalrymple,who relieves female patients' frustrations - or hysteria - with pelvic massages which allow orgasm. The handsome young doctor attracts a large female clientele and gets engaged to Dalrymple's studious younger daughter Emily but after the constant massaging brings on a carpal injury he is sacked. Fortunately an enterprising inventor friend has come up with a power operated feather duster which will soon be transformed into a vibrator and make Mortimer a fortune. Along the way he also realises that his heart really lies with Emily's older sister Charlotte,an outspoken suffragette who runs a home for disadvantaged women in London's East End.

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Plot Keywords:

doctor | invention | hysteria | vibrator | treatment | 

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Taglines:

He created an invention that turned on half the world.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

UK France Germany Luxembourg

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 December 2011 (France)

Also Known As:

Histeria

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$35,656 (USA) (18 May 2012)

Gross:

$1,799,187 (USA) (21 September 2012)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Informant Media, Forthcoming Productions, Beachfront Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director 'Tanya Wexler' stated that the hardest shot to get for the movie was of two ducks mating. After filming hundreds of hours of ducks with nothing to show for it, they finally got the shot they needed when someone found a video on YouTube.

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Goofs

The character Charlotte Dalrymple is shown riding a safety bicycle. The film is set in 1880, but safety bicycles weren't invented until 1885.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Mrs. Bellamy: I truly don't even know why I'm here, doctor.
[pen scraping]
Mrs. Bellamy: Well, of course it's difficult running a large household by oneself. And raising four children is exacting, but they're wonderful, wonderful children. And my husband, he's a good man. A very hard worker. Um... Ahem. Well, there is just one thing. Sometimes at night, when he comes to me, I imagine myself splitting his fat bald head with a great large ax.
[pen scraping]

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Crazy Credits

During the end credits images of several different vibrators throughout history are shown.

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Connections

Featured in Maltin on Movies: Battleship (2012)

User Reviews

A Solid Period Setting for a Romantic Comedy

I was quite surprised at how much I sincerely enjoyed this film. Thinking I was wandering into quite a serious film about the female condition in Victorian Times I quickly realised it was a sharp witted rom-com about the characters inventing new ideas in Victorian Times.

I really enjoyed the interplay of the characters, who were all played very well by the actors who seemed to be having a lot of fun. The period setting was very realistic and beautifully realised. The story, although slight, had enough meaning behind it to make the experience a satisfying one and thoroughly enjoyable.

There were a few quibbles with the realistic attitudes of the Victorian Era, but the sense of innocence about the matter made it all very charming. The fact that the doctors administering their treatments to the women insisted that it was all very medical and there were no gratification from the act was endearing. Even with the smiles of sheer delight the women displayed upon the completion, no, it was all very professional.

I believe that's the attitude that encapsulates the film. Near the end the story veers into women's rights and tries very hard to ensure that people are left feeling the indignation those women who fought for our rights felt. But at the end of the day that wasn't what this film will be remembered for. It's all about the sheer pleasure of watching actors enjoying themselves, a fun storyline built for laughs in a well realised environment rarely used for such. It was fun, light and left you smiling. I highly recommend it.