Hysteria

In late 19th-century London, Dr. Mortimer Granville develops an innovative electro-mechanical device to treat "hysteria" in women, a catch-all diagnosis for various ailments. His practice thrives, but he finds himself increasingly drawn to the women he treats. Meanwhile, his inventions are also causing ripples in his personal life and the medical community.

Hysteria received a mixed to positive reception from critics, who generally praised its unique premise and performances, particularly Mira Sorvino's. However, some found the film's tone uneven and its exploration of the subject matter to be somewhat superficial.

• Praised for its charming and inventive premise exploring a fascinating period in medical history.

• Mira Sorvino's performance as a young woman suffering from "hysteria" was frequently highlighted as a strong point.

• Some critics found the film's tone to be a bit too light for its subject matter, lacking deeper exploration.

Google audience: Audience reviews generally found "Hysteria" to be an amusing and charming film with a unique story. Many appreciated the performances and the lighthearted approach to a historical medical topic, though some wished for a more in-depth treatment.

The "hysteria" treatments depicted in the film, while dramatized, were inspired by actual medical practices of the Victorian era where doctors used manual stimulation to induce "hysterical paroxysm" in patients.