When Nietzsche Wept (2009)
In real life, Frederick Nietzsche and Josef Breuer technically would have never met, even though their paths may have crossed in Vienna. For the uninitiated, Nietzsche is a famous 19th-century German philosopher and Dr Breuer is a neurologist who was Sigmund Freud's mentor who together treated the first patient of psychotherapy, Anna O. (Bertha Pappenheim). Rather fictitiously, the story, which is taken off a novel by Irvin D. Yalom, created an imaginary meeting of four famous Viennese individuals - Nietzsche, Breuer, Freud and Lou Salome, Nietzsche's love of his life.
Salome approaches Breuer to request for him to treat Nietzsche who was at risk of committing suicide after she rejected his hand in marriage. She wanted Dr Breuer to treat him for a migraine but at the same time try some of his 'talk therapy' on him to cure him of despair.
However, things become complicated. Breuer, even though appearing very composed, contented, prosperous and well rooted in family life and society, has serious deep-seated psychological issues. It ended up as Nietzsche psychoanalysing and treating Breuer of his predicaments in life. Breuer lost his mother, Bertha at a very young age and never got over his loss. He started developing feelings for his patient, Anna O, whose first name was also Bertha. In a somewhat twisted way, Nietzsche interprets Breuer's dreams to impress upon him their meanings. I say twisted because Freud is the one who popularised interpretation of dreams. Freud, in this movie, is a young apprentice to Breuer. Breuer also has what appears like a mid-life crisis and existential issues. Engaged in a repeated events in life and married, he yearns to be free from the clutches and quagmire of predictable, mundane life. Nietzsche uses his philosophical theories to knock some sense into him. Many of Nietzsche's ideas like Zarathustra are also mentioned here.
Breuer, in turn, helps him to overcome his resentment with his old friend, the musician, Robert Wagner.
The most interesting part of the movie is the dialogue. The exchange of beautiful quotes and sayings between a near-insane Nietzsche who is worried about humanity and the psychologically confused Breuer is legendary.
The other compelling thing about the story how the two men clamour over things that they do not have and not appreciate what they already have. Breuer feels trapped in an unhappy marriage whilst Nietzsche is dying to be tied down to marriage and not savour his freedom. Is it not the irony of life? We always yearn for what we do not have!
In real life, Frederick Nietzsche and Josef Breuer technically would have never met, even though their paths may have crossed in Vienna. For the uninitiated, Nietzsche is a famous 19th-century German philosopher and Dr Breuer is a neurologist who was Sigmund Freud's mentor who together treated the first patient of psychotherapy, Anna O. (Bertha Pappenheim). Rather fictitiously, the story, which is taken off a novel by Irvin D. Yalom, created an imaginary meeting of four famous Viennese individuals - Nietzsche, Breuer, Freud and Lou Salome, Nietzsche's love of his life.Salome approaches Breuer to request for him to treat Nietzsche who was at risk of committing suicide after she rejected his hand in marriage. She wanted Dr Breuer to treat him for a migraine but at the same time try some of his 'talk therapy' on him to cure him of despair.
However, things become complicated. Breuer, even though appearing very composed, contented, prosperous and well rooted in family life and society, has serious deep-seated psychological issues. It ended up as Nietzsche psychoanalysing and treating Breuer of his predicaments in life. Breuer lost his mother, Bertha at a very young age and never got over his loss. He started developing feelings for his patient, Anna O, whose first name was also Bertha. In a somewhat twisted way, Nietzsche interprets Breuer's dreams to impress upon him their meanings. I say twisted because Freud is the one who popularised interpretation of dreams. Freud, in this movie, is a young apprentice to Breuer. Breuer also has what appears like a mid-life crisis and existential issues. Engaged in a repeated events in life and married, he yearns to be free from the clutches and quagmire of predictable, mundane life. Nietzsche uses his philosophical theories to knock some sense into him. Many of Nietzsche's ideas like Zarathustra are also mentioned here.
Breuer, in turn, helps him to overcome his resentment with his old friend, the musician, Robert Wagner.
The most interesting part of the movie is the dialogue. The exchange of beautiful quotes and sayings between a near-insane Nietzsche who is worried about humanity and the psychologically confused Breuer is legendary.
The other compelling thing about the story how the two men clamour over things that they do not have and not appreciate what they already have. Breuer feels trapped in an unhappy marriage whilst Nietzsche is dying to be tied down to marriage and not savour his freedom. Is it not the irony of life? We always yearn for what we do not have!
“It is easier, far easier, to obey another than to command oneself.”
“Every person must choose how much truth he can stand.”
"Despair is the price one pays for self-awareness. Look deeply into life, and you'll always find despair."
“Life is a spark between two identical voids, the darkness before birth and the one after death.”
"Not to take possession of your life plan is to let your existence be an accident.”
― Irvin D. Yalom, When Nietzsche Wept: A Novel of Obsession
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