Keira Knightley is just painful to watch.

She acted ill so realistically that it was too painful for you to watch. You are right Keira is one of the greatest actress.

lol it was painful. she was atrocious in this film !! I almost turned it off after her first scene, but I really wanted to watch because of fassbender and mortenson. Keira is Fugly, awful actress, and the scene where she was getting spanke by jung?!?!?! did anybody see a breast?? lol bleck !!!!

I have to agree. The grimacing and gyrations were bad enough, the accent (EKS-zent) took the cake.

I give the film a three because the photography was brilliant, the costumes superb, the lighting was spot-on, and the props/sets were apropos to the era.

Someone had a discerning eye, but it wasn't the actors!

not seen as often now & often inaccurately diagnosed
I think Knightley did an excellent job in a role that was thankless
the story is repugnant, but pretty accurate from my reading of history
if you are a Jungian, this film may give you pause

False. Her performance was Oscar worthy. This is a very good well made intelligent film. It references the history of psychoanalysis in many ways. Look up hysteria. Kiera Knightley's portrayal of this fascinating character should have won an Oscar. The film was a very good telling of many interesting topics in the history of today's field of psychology. It's probably too intelligent a film for you. Maybe read a book instead of watching another film?

Just watched the movie for the first time (put it off for a variety of reasons, one of which is Keira Knightly and her odd resemblance to a sister-in-law who is a horror), and I have to wholeheartedly concur. I have no problem with her attempts to physically demonstrate some of the symptoms of mental illness. The problem I have is her horrible attempt at a Russian accent! For starters, why could the film-makers not go for someone a little closer to home? There are plenty of eastern European actresses who could have done the job and still made the film work.

I found her portrayal of Spielrein outstanding. From her mannerisms to the complete believability of her portrayal of the character. One of the best roles I have seen her in, IMHO.

Time wounds all heels.

The hideous face pulling, her skeletal body, her off-and-on again accent, what's not to like? Also, the scene where her left areola is protruding above her top. I think those teeny breasts would be easy to keep holstered.