[yasr_overall_rating]
The famous psychologist Xu Ruining has a raising career, when he met the troublesome patient Ren Xiaoyan. The meeting is not easy as feeble-looking Ren is point by point against him.
Set in China and spoken in only Chinese throughout, we are introduced to Dr. Xu Ruining (Xu Zheng), a practicing psychiatrist and professor who, very early on establishes to the audience that there is no brain too far gone or mental condition left untreatable to “normalcy.” His own confidence exudes his reputation, and there is no matter of the brain he cannot solve, using the studies of hypnotherapy. The use of hypnotherapy reveals the innermost thoughts and feelings that we cannot or simply do not want to communicate, according to Dr. Xu.
Though Dr. Xu himself is haunted by his own past, a past of tragedy and loss, his tough love, no-nonsense approach is what lands his newest patient, Ren Xiaoyan (Karen Mok) in his office. Xiaoyan is a patient described as troubled by other practicing psychiatrists that have attempted to treat her. A majority of her problems being that Ren believes herself to be perfectly normal and full-functioning despite the many doctors that say otherwise. She admits that she possesses certain “talents” that might be a little unconventional; but the only mystery she wants to solved is why she has been chosen for them. Naturally, Dr. Xu accepts the challenge of Ren Xiaoyan. Ready to implement his harsher methods that form not only his own composition, but way of life, Ren and Xu wade through the innards of Ren’s subconscious (once she finally agrees to undergo hypnotherapy), picking away at her memories and precious thoughts which are full of, as told by Dr. Xu, full of self-denial and self-deceit. Throughout the film, we see Dr. Xu and Ren get closer to solving Ren’s complexities of which allow him to discover his own complexities, secrets and deceit.
Xu Zheng and Karen Mok are amazing. An evenly balanced pair, both actors are able to give a very convincing performance, complementing one another. The tension between them so strong, it is entrancing to watch them slowly start to form a relationship, overstep personal boundaries, re-realize they are on opposing sides, and attempt to break down each other’s own personal fortresses. Xu Zheng’s Dr. Xu is very strong-willed and extreme in some cases, you see his desire to cure the nonsensical in human beings while still struggling, fighting with, and hiding his own nonsenses. Karen Mok has you questioning Ren Xiaoyan’s sanity the entire time. She claims that she is sane. The only reason to believe that she is insane is based on the multiple diagnoses of other doctors that could not understand her own reasoning. Ren’s character plays a cat and game with the audience. Her ability to mimic the sane or the insane (take your pick) has you guessing and on your toes the entire time.
From the first opening scene, we are put right into the story. Director Leste Chen has a great ability to put you right in the middle of the scene without evident exposition or ridiculous reveals. The old “show don’t tell” technique is perfect. The intricacies sprinkled throughout the film keep you focused, wondering, guessing, assuming — but the reveal is not obvious until the film is ready for you to know it — and not a second before. This, in itself is beautifully done. Attention to detail and continuity brought their best faces to the show. Done so delicately as to make sure not to bore or beat one over the head with obvious clues, clichéd reveals, or hand holding. “The Great Hypnotist” also has a supernatural element. The use of practical effects makes them believable and involve the perception of the character’s own reality rather than your typical demon or under-the-bed-monster.
“The Great Hypnotist” is smart. It is smart with its schools of psychiatry and its common practices, but does well to keep you in the mutual loop of understanding between characters and plot. One does not have to Google every other term or phrase, they are explained quite well in the film. It is original, as far as psychiatrist—patient dynamics go. It is an overall great film.
Available now on DVD
