San Diego Reader

A factually derived British comedy about Victorian invention fever and sexual repression, as prim doctors devise the first vibrator to treat the perceived plague of female “hysteria.” Maggie Gyllenhaal delivers a bravura performance as a feminist social worker who sees through the patronizing foolishness. Wilde and Shaw did such humor more wittily, without the jarring (even in 2012) jump from dainty chat about parsnips to a fellatio joke. Also, duck humping. Tanya Wexler directed a gifted cast: Hugh Dancy, Jonathan Pryce, Rupert Everett, Felicity Jones, Gemma Jones. 2012.

— David Elliott

• View trailer
• Rated NR | 1 hour, 35 minutes
• Official website

This movie is not currently in theaters.