PopSugar

Michael Fassbender Gets Wild at His Dangerous Method Afterparty

Allie Merriam — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:19:27 PST

Michael Fassbender was in a joking mood last night following his London premiere of A Dangerous Method! Inside 34 restaurant, he danced around with a Burberry Prorsum-clad Keira Knightley and their costar Viggo, as well as some other lucky attendees! Michael then sat at a piano to serenade the group that also included Keira's mom Sharman Macdonald. He got a piggyback ride from a friend out to his car, then proceeded to mock-fight with a group of photographers. Keira made a more low-key exit with her Klaxons musician boyfriend James Righton. It was an evening of fun during what's shaping up to be another busy year for Michael. It was recently confirmed that he'll work on another X-Men movie with director Matthew Vaughn.

Michael Fassbender Suits Up For a Dangerous Premiere With Keira Knightley

Allie Merriam — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:48:39 PST

Michael Fassbender reunited with his A Dangerous Method costars Keira Knightley, in Burberry Prorsum, and Viggo Mortensen this evening for a London premiere. The film came out in the US last Fall but is only just hitting theaters in Keira's home country. To promote the release, Keira's on the cover of GQ UK. An interview in which she discusses making the sex-themed David Cronenberg picture accompanies an equally racy photo spread. Speaking about her relationship with Klaxons musician James Righton and a recent reimmersion in work, Keira said she's in a great place. She commented, "I'm actually loving this bit right now - doing the work I'm doing, having the life I can have around it. Right now, it's really good."

We recently caught up with Keira to find out what she thought about working with Michael. Many thought Michael was overlooked when he didn't snag an Oscar nomination for his role in Shame, and Keira likely agrees. She told us of Michael's performance in Shame, "I think he's amazing . . . He's a phenomenal actor, and I think his performance in Shame is amazing. Talk about brave. I think it's wonderful."

Rooney Mara Toasts Sony's Nominations With Sacha, Jodie, and Jonah

Allie Merriam — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 07:09:16 PST

Sony Pictures also played host to a Golden Globes bash last night! The stars from the company's many films got together to raise their glasses in honor of their many nominees. Rooney Mara of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo had been nominated for best actress in a drama, an honor that ultimately went to The Iron Lady's Meryl Streep. She nonetheless mingled with Sony execs and sipped champagne at the bash in her dark Nina Ricci gown. Moneyball's best supporting actor contender Jonah Hill said hello to Sacha Baron Cohen, who was out supporting Hugo and its best director winner Martin Scorsese. A Dangerous Method best supporting actor nom Viggo Mortensen was in a great mood while talking about Spanish soccer, and Jodie Foster hung out with her sons Christopher and Charlie.

Viggo Mortensen Talks Working With Kristen Stewart in On the Road

Allie Merriam — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:45:23 PST

Viggo Mortensen is currently in Spain starring in a production of Purgatorio, but his A Dangerous Method just opened here in the US to quite good reviews. We had a chance to ask Viggo about tackling the role of Sigmund Freud opposite Michael Fassbender and Keira Knightley. He also gave us some random tidbits about his life like his favorite books and holiday dishes, and even spoke about working with Kristen Stewart in their upcoming On the Road. Viggo kindly cleared up any confusion movie-goers might have about the adaptation of Jack Kerouac's classic book and his 2009 movie with Charlize Theron called simply The Road. He said:

BuzzSugar: One of your next films coming out is On the Road. How was it filming that movie with Kirsten Dunst, Kristen Stewart, and Tom Sturridge?
Viggo Mortensen: Of the three actors you mention, I only worked with Kristen Stewart, who did a great job with her character from what I could see. Walter Salles, the director, has a light touch and is very kind, extremely intelligent, and very helpful with the actors. Great crew on that shoot. The images I have seen are strikingly beautiful; they really capture post-WW2 USA landscapes, people.

Buzz: As for A Dangerous Method, what did you think when you first saw yourself dressed up as Sigmund Freud?
VM: I thought: "Yes, this might work; looks right so far. Now I have to find the character's voice, his tone."

Buzz: What's on tap for you at the end of 2011?
VM: I am finishing the run of the Ariel Dorfman play Purgatorio, which I am acting in at the Matadero theatre in Madrid, Spain. Been a tough but rewarding challenge after more than 20 years not doing a play. Tough subject, difficult script to memorize and present. Has gone well - full houses and good reviews - but will be glad to relax with friends and family a bit after we finish just before the holidays.

To see what Viggo had to say about his holiday plans and what he does in his spare time, just

read more. Buzz: Are there any holiday dishes you're especially excited to have? VM: Buckwheat pancakes with fried eggs on top. Buzz: What do you like to do best when not making movies? VM: Watch other movies. Buzz: Do you have a favorite book? VM: No, not just one. Too many to mention. For those who do not know his work, I recommend Roberto Bolaño's novels. Been reading him lately. And Noam Chomsky's updated version of his landmark publication 9/11. Buzz: Having also starred in The Road, how would you describe the difference between that film and On the Road to your fans? VM: If you know the books, the only things that they have in common is the word "road" in their titles, the view of a few US roads onscreen, a little suffering, and a little joy to be had from the two journeys . . . The Road has a minimum of characters and barely any dialogue, while On the Road is full of memorable characters who will not or cannot shut up. Different as the two stories are, both books contain gems of concentrated poetic description, uniquely haunting passages that will likely stay with the reader for a long time.

Keira Knightley Bares Her Abs at a London Premiere With Michael and Viggo

Allie Merriam — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:10:47 PDT

Keira Knightley showed some strategic skin last night at the BFI London Film Festival premiere of A Dangerous Method. The actress, decked out in Roksanda Ilincic, joined her costars Viggo Mortensen and Michel Fassbender on the red carpet along with their director, David Cronenberg. We were able to catch up with David and Michael at a recent NYC press day for the picture, which is out on Nov. 23. Michael said that he loves all the traveling his career requires at the moment, which is a good thing considering that he's been in NYC, San Sebastian, Toronto, and Venice during the last two months alone. He's doing double the jet-setting, since he has the Cronenberg film as well as Steve McQueen's Shame to chat up at festivals around the world.

The Dangerous Method reviews are so far mixed, but David is confident about his leading lady's work. At a press conference yesterday, David said he only wanted Keira to play the role of Sabina Spielrein. He said of Keira, "I think she's underrated as an actress. I took her seriously as an actress right from the first moment, and I was always looking forward to working with her, and I never offered this role to anybody else."

New York Film Festival Takeaway: A Dangerous Method

Allie Merriam — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 05:30:00 PDT

David Cronenberg's A Dangerous Method is one of the most-anticipated movies showing at the New York Film Festival, which kicked off last weekend and continues on until Oct. 16. Cronenberg and one of his leading men, Michael Fassbender, joined writer Christopher Hampton in the Big Apple this week to present the picture and conduct a Q&A for press. I was able to check out the screening and hear a little of what Michael, David, and Christopher had to say.

Who's behind it? David Cronenberg was behind the lens, teaming up with regular colleague Viggo Mortensen for the third time, after the men also worked together on A History of Violence and Eastern Promises. Mortensen plays Dr. Sigmund Freud, along with Fassbender's psychoanalyst Carl Jung, and Keira Knightley as Sabina Spielrein, a hysterical patient who turns her interest in medicine into a doctorate. The script is from Atonement's Christopher Hampton, who also wrote the play, The Talking Cure, on which the movie is based.
What's it about? A Dangerous Method is based on Freud, Spielrein, and Jung's real lives. Spielrein and Jung first cross paths when she's admitted to his Zurich clinic, and it's there that she's introduced to his and Freud's psychoanalytic method. Jung shares with Freud a belief that many, if not most, psychological problems are rooted in sex. Spielrein seems to agree, and her relationship with Jung became both personal and professional. Jung later visits with his friend Sigmund in Vienna on a sort of hero-worshipping pilgrimage. However, on a trip to America, the men have a falling out over Jung's spiritualism, to which Freud is opposed. Hampton's story examines the effects of Jung and Spielrein's affair on their careers, families, and professional futures.

To read what I thought about the movie, just read more

Keira Knightley Brings Boyfriend James Righton to Toronto!

Allie Merriam — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 02:02:00 PDT

Keira Knightley traded film festivals over the weekend, leaving Venice and heading to Toronto to show off David Cronenberg's A Dangerous Method. Making the trek to Canada along with Keira was her boyfriend, James Righton of the Klaxons, on Friday. Keira had the company of her big-screen leading man Viggo Mortensen for Saturday afternoon's press conference, and the duo showed their appreciation for the local culture by posing with two hockey jerseys. At the event, Keira spoke about her love of acting. She said, "Acting is what keeps me grounded. Acting is therapy. . . I think it is incredibly cathartic and particularly playing a role like this. It is almost strange what a wonderful time we had." Keira changed from her multicolored dress into a lace one for the premiere and Sony Pictures cocktail party later.

Golden Girl Keira Knightley Shares the Venice Red Carpet With Michael, Viggo, and Vincent

Allie Merriam — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 12:15:20 PDT

Keira Knightley was in a gorgeous Valentino gown this evening to join her leading men from A Dangerous Method on the Venice Film Festival red carpet. She also had the company of director David Cronenberg and costars Michael Fassbender, Vincent Cassel, and Viggo Mortensen this morning at a photocall. Adding to the female quotient at both events was Keira's female castmate Sarah Gadon. The group has been busy doing press while in Italy, and the interviewing will continue for Michael when he steps out Sunday to show off Shame. His costar in the latter film, Carey Mulligan, will hopefully join him over the weekend, though she's been Down Under lately working on The Great Gatsby with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire.

Michael Fassbender and Keira Knightley Hit Venice With Viggo, Vincent, and David

Allie Merriam — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 06:34:22 PDT

Keira Knightley, in a dress from designer Mary Katrantzou, and Michael Fassbender were up early for a photo call during the Venice Film Festival today on behalf of their movie A Dangerous Method. They joined director David Cronenberg as well as costars Viggo Mortensen, Sarah Gadon, and Vincent Cassel. Sarah also worked with David over the Summer on his next movie, Cosmopolis, with Robert Pattinson. The Knightley-Fassbender-Mortensen movie is one of the most anticipated offerings at Venice, and, according to certain bookies, has odds stacked in its favor to win the top prize, the Golden Lion, at the festival. Michael stars as famous psychiatrist Carl Jung and Viggo, another frequent Cronenberg collaborator, as Sigmund Freud, and they have to deal with personal issues once they encounter a troubled young patient played by Keira. There's even more Michael hotness to come this evening at their premiere, and he'll be out again in a few days doing press duties for his Steve McQueen movie Shame with cast-mate Carey Mulligan. All the movie making has left Michael feeling grateful for the work. Michael Fassbender said of his career in a recent interview, "It’s crazy that I’ve worked with the people I have, that I’m actually allowed to earn a living out of it. I’ve always thought you mustn’t live your life where at the end of it you go, 'oh God, I didn’t do that because I was worried about what other people might think of me.’"

A Dangerous Method Trailer: Michael Fassbender Takes Keira Knightley as a Lover

Shannon Vestal — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 14:27:43 PDT

Michael Fassbender fans, get ready for some steamy historical drama for the actor in David Cronenberg's latest film, A Dangerous Method. Fassbender plays Carl Jung, the renowned Swiss psychiatrist, in this film, set in Europe in the early 1900s. Jung meets and collaborates with his mentor and contemporary Sigmund Freud (Cronenberg favorite Viggo Mortensen) on what would ultimately become psychoanalysis.

But personal complications arise, and things get juicy. When new, very troubled patient Sabina (Keira Knightley, playing Russian) enters into his care, the married Jung takes a marked interest in her fractured mental state - and into her personally. As he blurs the professional lines and takes her as his mistress, his wife and Freud challenge his actions, while Jung questions them himself. The movie looks to be a mix of erotica and biopic, which is a welcome respite from the violence in Cronenberg's most recent films. If you're curious to check it out, watch the trailer when you