The Rickmanista Review Index & Table of Contents

This Dennis Potter scripted film is flawed, the story line is unbalanced, a complete lack of directorial influence is evident, and some of the scenes so bad as to be laughable. But I can forgive all these faults for what is the most tactile and erotic Alan Rickman performance to date.

Rickman is visually stunning, sensuous, hair flowing over his collar and, for those of us with an interest in such matters, a wonderful line in ruffle shirts and period costume. Unfortunately he’s the only visually stunning part of the film as the camera work and editing are disappointing.

The story revolves round Mesmer’s supposed cure of the blind Maria Theresa, well played by Amanda Ooms. Their scenes, intensely sexual, are the main focus of the film for any Rickmaniac, so much so that the hand rating goes off the end of the scale. A major highlight is the legendary kiss, ninety seconds alone worth the price of the video.

A note of caution: The film does have a darker side, including the molestation of two female characters – neither, I hasten to add, by Dr. Mesmer.

The sum of the parts does not add up to the whole, and Rickmaniac will eventually watch just the Rickman parts of this film.

It’s a must-see once, and repeat viewings with the use of the Fast-Forward button.

Captures courtesy of Stezi, Photo courtesy of Claire

Leatha's insights on Mesmer

During January 1999, Leatha sent in her observations on Mesmer. While this is not a review, it offers some insights that I find very valuable in examining the film:

Mesmer is just a beautifully made work. Mr. Rickman is wondrous, flabbergastingly great.

I suppose the people who ordered the movie for distribution, would be disappointed with it, because it is feminine in its appeal, perhaps because of the way it was written by Dennis Potter, a man who was dying, and the nurturing part of himself was coming forth. He (Dennis Potter) was seeing the end, and wanted statements about the human condition to come to light. When Mesmer describes himself as a boy, climbing up high to get away from the earth's pain and dirt, wanting humanity to be more caring and loving, Mr. Potter was going through those things himself . . . probably suffering chemotherapy or radiation treatments, suffering the indignity of a body which was rebelling against him. Mesmer became his retaliation for what he was going through, from the medical profession. He, more than likely, had gone to various new-age healers, doing the alternative medicine route. This movie captured that essence very well.

There is another thing which after watching it again, that I am drawn to. The fact the Mr. Rickman is so touched by the human condition of suffering, he tears up whenever he speaks of it in the film, great acting that, but perhaps it touches his heart as well......that human beings are so cruel to each other. Mesmer merely wanted to alleviate the suffering, and that comes through in the film -- it is perhaps the paramount point of the whole piece. Mesmer was sensitive to the elimination of the pain inflicted by physicians on patients, even to screaming when he saw them starting to be bled before there was a need.

I think that people who are under a physician's care, (especially with a terminal illness) often get lost in the conquering of their disease, the disease becomes the focus and not the individual, even today that is so. But now, with the new (old) touch therapy and other alternative medicines being introduced into hospital settings, the idea that a patient can be in control of what is done to his or her body, is vital.

This film is a focus of that, and Mr. Rickman's delicate portrayal keeps the spirit of it. His characterization comes across as really caring deeply for all of his patients, even the most superfluous ones.

Lloyd Rose, theater critic for The Washington Post, describes Mr. Rickman's performance Mesmer as A Star-Making Performance in an article in The Atlantic Monthly.

For further information on Dennis Potter, please visit Clenched Fists: The Dennis Potter Homepage.

Here's what the Encyclopaedia Brittanica has to say about Mesmer. The March, 1999 Smithsonian Magazine contains an article, Hypnotism: You Will Fell No Pain that features information on the real-life Mesmer. The following are from the article:

An imposing figure, Franz Anton Mesmer introduced "mesmerism" in the 1700's

Gathered around a large tub filled with magnetized water, iron filings and glass, Mermer's patients grasped rods, held hands and waited for healing to take effect