Review: ‘Hysteria’

I would have expected a film about the invention of the vibrator to be a little more… naughty. Instead we get a very British, buttoned down version of events.

Medicine in 1880s London was a dicey and conservative business. Progressive young doctor Mortimer Granville is well read and knows a thing or two about germs and the value of sterilisation. He faces opposition to these heretical ideas from older doctors every way he turns and this terminates his employment in hospital after hospital. Growing desperate, he accepts a position with Dr. Dalrymple in his high-class practice which specialises in the treatment of hysteria.

As defined by Dalrymple, ‘hysteria’ is a catch-all phrase for any women’s ailment that can’t be defined any other way. His treatment method involves manual manipulation of a woman’s nether-regions until she reaches a paroxysm (or in today’s speak, orgasm), which apparently shifts the uterus and decompresses the nervous system.

Dr. Granville finds himself inundated with patients and is soon suffering hand cramps from all the manipulating he needs to perform. One day, while visiting his wealthy benefactor, he toys with an electric feather duster his friend has been inventing and discovers that the vibrations through his hand are most pleasurable. It triggers an idea, and soon the practice of female manipulation has been mechanised.

This is a very British film. In other hands it could be bawdy or even lewd, but here, the invention of the vibrator is handled with such decorum we could be watching a film about the development of the electric teakettle. It’s good fun though, in part because of how delightfully repressed everything is. Only Charlotte, the wayward older daughter of Dr. Dalrymple shows any passion or verve.

So it’s little wonder that Granville should fall for her and cast aside her more suitable, demure younger sister.

While based on historical fact there are numerous liberties taken here, most of which don’t harm the narrative a bit. My only concern was that Charlotte’s ideas and actions are far too modern for the times. But on the whole it’s a harmless concern, and the film is a hoot. Take your granny.

6.5/10