A hilarious and original premise with a predictable but endearing ending, this is the story of one man, Doctor Mortimer Granville (Hugh Dancy) torn between “Proper” doctor protocol as well as the love of two sisters.
Charlotte (Maggie Gyllenhaal) has conviction, stands passionately for women’s rights and will stop at nothing, circa London, 1880, while Emily (Felicity Jones) is the sweet sister looking to secure a life as a doctor’s wife. It’s got all the makings of a wanna-be Sense & Sensibility and Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, but this movie’s quality, cuts and rhythm are far from that league. That said, the premise of the first film on women’s “hysteria” and their solution of a mechanical device to “please women” is laugh-out-loud enjoyable. Apparently the first “Vibrator” was called “The Jolly Molly.” The story’s ultimate overview is the struggles that women endured long before they could vote (let alone be allowed to receive “Pleasure” in certain body parts.) Gyllenhaal mirrors a young Annette Benning in her performance. Three tiaras
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