Movie history is replete with bad or unartistic representations of analyses. It is a real marvel that Adieu Lacan manages to be both entertaining, artistic, and, at the same time, true to how analysis begins, proceeds, and reaches an end. The three actors - David Patrick Kelly as the famous French psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan, Ismenia Mendes as his analysand, and Antu Yacob as Lacan's secretary - really brings the analysis alive and sustain a high level of drama and interest in the characters from beginning to end. The directing by Richard Ledes also adds to the way the audience gets pulled into the drama of what is happening; and some of the camera work is very innovative and adds to the sense of intimacy and engagement without ever being voyeuristic. Purely as film, but especially if you want to appreciate the real drama and intellectual and emotional excitement of what analyses is, this is a must see film!
13 Reviews
Beautiful depiction of psychoanalytic cure
aniabaumritter18 May 2022
Deeply moving, beautifully filmed and acted story of a woman searching for understanding of her life decisions, which direction to go. This search takes place in psychoanalytic room of Jacques Lacan, the famous French psychoanalyst. We never leave this room, bear witness to the patient and the doctor.
Fascinating experience.
Fascinating experience.
2023.10.25
EasonVonn25 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The music is pretty good, the movie technique can only be on the average side I guess, not to excellent, even mindless to the point of being in straight black and white and looking like a little toy from Disney has a flashy feel to it.
It feels like Lacan should have been portrayed in a more serious and theoretical movie, it always kind of feels too frivolous for the image here.
It also doesn't talk about the new ideas of the corresponding era, it's just a generalization, kind of consuming a wave of Lacan.
There is nothing better than Lacan takinggood to the Three Worlds Ring.jjjjjjjjjjjjjj.
It feels like Lacan should have been portrayed in a more serious and theoretical movie, it always kind of feels too frivolous for the image here.
It also doesn't talk about the new ideas of the corresponding era, it's just a generalization, kind of consuming a wave of Lacan.
There is nothing better than Lacan takinggood to the Three Worlds Ring.jjjjjjjjjjjjjj.
One of the great rebel minds of our time has found his champion.
sjlevien11 May 2022
Adieu, Lacan is both a subtle tone poem and a bold foray into intellectual history. This is a film that will retain its value for the long haul. One of the great rebel minds of our time has found his champion. The film is directed with great confidence and aplomb, allowing the actors to give convincing, understated performances even while summoning the most consequential of themes and personages.
Wonderful film with heart and soul and intelligence.
mhimes-0111117 May 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed watching this film. As a psychoanalyst, I would say it is a gem of a film; in my opinion, a true masterpiece that so gently, subtly and accurately portrays an analytic treatment, and more specifically a treatment that proceeds along the lines of a Lacanian cure. An excellent film for analysts and non-analysts alike.
A Marvelous Achievement. Sheer beauty.
sjerem14 May 2022
Films that faithfully portray psychoanalysis and what it truly involves are rare. This is one of them, and is not to be missed. This is true art, capturing the evanescent and imperceptible in the texture of human suffering and the body that listens.
A patient, a therapist and a discreet elusive character: the city of Paris
jhr-8514214 May 2022
"Adieu, Lacan" explores with compassion and honesty the devastating effect of cultural shock; the director brilliantly allows us to "witness" the complex relationship between an immigrant and the language and culture of her new "homeland". This film is a feast for the ears with its witty dialogues but also for the eyes with its beautiful photography. A patient, a therapist and a discreet elusive character: the city of Paris.
contemplative compositions help this film come to life
lilabird77716 May 2022
I want to preface my review by saying that if you don't care much for introspection, the human condition, or deliberately paced films, Adieu Lacan is not for you! This film is made up of a series of sessions between a young woman who has immigrated to Paris from Brazil, and her therapist Lacan, who is an old frenchman. Not only do we witness her processing her story, but we get to see Lacan's side as he engages in questioning the process and his place in it. That's something I wish all therapists did!
I like having the opportunity to find out what a person is truly thinking and feeling (even if those people are subjects of a fictional film) and Adieu Lacan allows for that. The film is very thoughtful and also very well thought out. As a viewer I wondered how the film would stay visually engaging. I was rewarded by beautiful and contemplative compositions and editing. I watched this film a few months ago and it is still with me.
I think this is superb filmmaking!
I like having the opportunity to find out what a person is truly thinking and feeling (even if those people are subjects of a fictional film) and Adieu Lacan allows for that. The film is very thoughtful and also very well thought out. As a viewer I wondered how the film would stay visually engaging. I was rewarded by beautiful and contemplative compositions and editing. I watched this film a few months ago and it is still with me.
I think this is superb filmmaking!
Excellent on all levels
valentinacanigliadp18 May 2022
It grabs your attention and makes you think. Wonderful work of art.
nrodxxx23 May 2022
It felt to me as if the film were having an intimate conversation with psychoanalysis. Ledes seems to have a profound understanding of the language of the treatment he observed with his camera. Through the language of cinema, Ledes beautifully captured it in images to us. A wonderful work of art. It could also serve as an educational tool if he could promote his film to a larger audience.
The passion of the clinic in a film
gabrielaocampocastellanos18 May 2022
DESCRIBES IN AN ARTISTIC WAY THE LOOK OF THE PATIENT AND THE PSYCHOANALYST, PLAGUED WITH ELEMENTS THAT BUILD AN EXQUISITE CINEMATOGRAPHIC LANGUAGE.
" ...portrays the passion for the clinic not only of Lacan, but of the director and the actors. Do not miss it!! "
" ...portrays the passion for the clinic not only of Lacan, but of the director and the actors. Do not miss it!! "
Wonderful Film That Manages The Impossible
crispinbalfour-684-80760917 June 2022
Adieu Lacan is an extraordinary rendering of a psychoanalyst working with a patient. Based on a book, which was the story of an actual analysis with Lacan, this film makes a gripping drama out of the experience. Filmed in Black and White the cinematography is exquisite and the acting remarkable. I could watch this again and again (if only it was available to stream here in Aotearoa/New Zealand)
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