FI L M
On The Road
frustrated at the success and inspiration of his
with the realisation that they have not only
Director: Walter Salles
friends while he struggles with the half-written
watched a beautiful film, but have also taken
manuscript of a novel. Upon being introduced to
in some of the ideas.
Reviewed By D F Benson-Guiu
T
his adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s novel
Dean Moriarty (Garrett Hedlund), Sal becomes
Early on in the film, Sal is asked where he
fascinated with his lifestyle. His carefree attitude
is going. “Just going,” with enough for a pint of
and seeming success pulls Sal into a friendship
whiskey, he says. While “on the road” Sal finds
that takes Dean, himself, and many others on a
his inspiration, but also finds stories, friendships,
drug-enhanced adventure through the United
and the heart of the United States.
States and Mexico.
The film is a must-watch for any wannabe
immerses us in a time period that is short
The audience takes a back seat – sadly
hitchhiker or traveller. It shows the simple and
but alive with change. It is the postwar
often with Kirsten Stewart – as we watch the
sometimes serendipitous interactions of people
era, and we are introduced to a small group of
ideas and conventions of the time break and
travelling through the beautiful hills, mountains,
budding writers who are part of a culture which,
evolve in ways that still make us raise an eye-
and back roads of the United States in search of
as a whole, seems lively and creative. Sal Par-
brow now. On The Road feels like an adventure
what Dean calls “it”.
adise (Sam Riley) is not feeling it though. He is
for the viewer, who will undoubtedly walk out
Hysteria
A sudden realisation that he is not finding
and later the unexpected love interest of Mor-
stimulation in his work, nor room to try new
timer. A beacon of women’s rights, humanitari-
methods, leads Mortimer to the door of Dr Dal-
anism and forward thinking, Charlotte is initially
rymple, the owner of a private women’s practice.
portrayed as a crazy person, an exception to how
Dalrymple introduces Mortimer to the problem of
women “should be”, and Dr Dalyrymple is pro-
“hysteria” among a client base of upper-middle
fusely embarrassed by her. However, she is an
ysteria, set in London in the 1880s,
class housewives. In truth, the women are simply
audience favourite for her audacity, refreshing
follows the story of the ever-spirited
sexually frustrated, and the “treatment” that the
candidness, and way of thinking that modern
young Doctor Mortimer Granville prior
Doctor and his new assistant (Mortimer) provide
citizens can more easily relate to.
Director: Tanya Wexler Reviewed ByAshlea Muston
H
What is “it”? Well, that’s for you to decide.
to his discovery of the vibrator and its medical
is clitoral stimulation.
Hysteria more than fulfils its role as an
benefits. Mortimer (Hugh Dancy) continually
Although the film is set in the 1880s, its
entertaining insight into the intricacies of the
seeks betterment in the medical profession, and
subject matter forces a certain modernity to
female orgasm. This film does not attempt to be
is enamoured with the breakthrough science of
shine through in its treatment of characters.
anything but light, bright and humorous, which
germ theory, much to the dismay of his stuffy
Maggie Gyllenhaal plays the outspoken Charlotte
is evident in its witty, honest portrayal of the
old employers.
Dalrymple, the eldest daughter of Dr Dalrymple,
history of vaginal pleasure.
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Film Editor | Sarah Baillie | film@critic.co.nz