Hysteria

Set in the late 19th century, Hysteria is a historical comedy-drama film that shines a light on the largely forgotten era of Victorian England's medical practices concerning hysteria in women. The story revolves around two esteemed physicians, Dr. Dalrymple (Hugh Dancy) and Dr. Mortimer Granville (Maggie Gyllenhaal's real-life husband, James McAvoy), who are employed by the renowned Harley Street clinics. Initially, Dr. Granville works beneath the demanding and constrictive hand of Dr. Dalrymple. Despite his natural affinity for his profession, Dr. Granville's life becomes increasingly complicated due to his strained relationships with his family members, who reside in a modest cottage in the countryside. His interactions at the Harley Street clinics are also often marred by condescending remarks from his employers towards him, further diminishing his spirits. The story's primary focus is centered on women suffering from the mysterious affliction termed 'hysteria.' Victorian England's medical community, under the guidance of physicians like Dr. Dalrymple, believed that these maladies could only be treated using a variety of manual stimulation practices on the female patients' genitalia. These methods, despite their apparent ineffectiveness, became an integral part of every physician's repertoire in their quest to cure this elusive condition plaguing their patients. Dr. Granville soon realizes that these unorthodox techniques, which they believed to be the only viable solution at their disposal, were, in fact, nothing more than feeble attempts to alleviate their patients' genuine distress and frustration. Frustrated by the lack of efficacy in these traditional treatments, he develops a deep sense of concern, which gradually matures into a profound sense of determination. It is then that he begins to question the methods used in the Harley Street clinics. As a result of his growing skepticism towards the traditional methods employed in his workplace, Dr. Granville starts experimenting with new and innovative techniques. His research, albeit unorthodox and unacknowledged by the medical community at the time, would go on to change the course of his career and transform the world of medicine. Under immense pressure from the clinic, Granville develops an unconventional device that incorporates electric motor power to perform the manual stimulation technique. This revolutionary invention would lay the groundwork for the development of the first vibrators. The story takes a further twist with the emergence of Charlotte Dalrymple (Maggie Gyllenhaal), Dr. Dalrymple's sister. As Granville grows closer to Charlotte, a beautiful young woman diagnosed with chronic illness due to hysteria, they find themselves entangled in a web of romance, friendship, and medical discoveries. The blossoming relationship between Granville and Charlotte not only highlights the societal constraints faced by women of their time but also underscores the evolving roles that women began to assume in society. The film concludes by providing an intimate look at the transformation of the Victorian medical establishment and the groundbreaking invention of the first electrical vibrator. This groundbreaking creation by Dr. Granville paves the way for the rethinking of hysteria as a treatable condition distinct from what it previously was considered: a manifestation of a woman's emotional state. Throughout the film, director Tanya Wexler masterfully blends the intricacies of Victorian societal norms, medical ethics, and the growing understanding of the human body. Hysteria's exploration of the intricacies of male-dominated professions and the evolving roles of women in society sheds light on the little-known era of medical history.