Hysteria

2011
R
1h 40m

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

33K

YOUR RATING

Hugh Dancy and Maggie Gyllenhaal in Hysteria (2011)

A romantic comedy based on the truth of how Mortimer Granville devised the invention of the first vibrator in the name of medical science.

Play trailer1:50

12 Videos

39 Photos

Period Drama Biography Comedy Romance

The truth of how Mortimer Granville devised the invention of the first vibrator in the name of medical science.The truth of how Mortimer Granville devised the invention of the first vibrator in the name of medical science.The truth of how Mortimer Granville devised the invention of the first vibrator in the name of medical science.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

33K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 nominations

Trivia
Dr. Granville's electromechanical vibrator was portable but had a wet cell battery that weighed about 40 pounds.

Goofs
The film suggests that the Granville Electric was the first mechanical vibrator. While it pioneered the use of electricity in the vibrator, hand-cranked models existed before the Granville.

Quotes
Edmund St. John-Smythe: [brainstorming] The Rubby-Nubby.
Mortimer Granville: The Vibratorium.
Edmund St. John-Smythe: The Jiggly-Wiggly?
Mortimer Granville: Paroxysmator.
Edmund St. John-Smythe: Oh, the Sorcerer's Apprentice.
Mortimer Granville: The Excitetator?
Edmund St. John-Smythe: Mr. Wobbly.
Mortimer Granville: Oh, please.
Edmund St. John-Smythe: What about, The Squealer?

Crazy credits
During the end credits images of several different vibrators throughout history are shown.

Connections
Featured in Maltin on Movies: Battleship (2012)

Soundtracks
Rule Britannia
Written by Thomas Augustine Arne
Performed by The Band of the Royal Marines

User reviews72

Review

Featured review

7/10

A great English comedy

I watched "Hysteria as a sneak preview and, having no idea what to expect, I was pleasantly surprised. Both Dancy and Gyllenhaal refrain from playing their, somewhat stereotypical, roles over the top and the script is intelligent enough to build a strong relationship plot around the already interesting subject of the invention of the dildo. The subject is also interpreted in an entertaining way and not simply used as a gimmick, which happens quite a bit in these period pieces that feature a certain historical event. The comedic pacing is refreshing, tasteful and does not feel cheap which is impressive if you consider that some of the biggest laughs stem from scenes that depict the masturbation of middle aged women. All in all "Hysteria" is a fun movie, with good actors, a good story and, if that's important for you, a great happy end.