Hysteria **½

Tanya Wexler directed this Romantic comedy. Watch Preview. Cast: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Hugh Dancy, Jonathan Pryce, Rupert Everett, Ashley Jensen, Sheridan Smith, Felicity Jones, Gemma Jones, Anna Chancellor. Rated R for sexual content. Running time is one hour and forty minutes.

Based on the surprising truth of how Mortimer Granville (Dancy) came up with the world's first electro-mechanical vibrator in the name of medical science (and to stop his hand muscles from continually cramping).

 This is a very Victorian version of a romantic comedy...very little romance with just a touch of humor. I'm partial to British comedies and while this isn't the funniest one I've seen it does have its moments. I have no idea why Gyllenhaal was chosen for her part. She's a fine actress but she seems a bit out of place with the rest of the all British cast and her name recognition in the U.S. isn't such that she will provide much additional draw here. I'm a little surprised this has an R rating as the sexuality is more implied than shown. If you like BBC productions you should find this worth your while.

There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin although there is a slide show of how vibrators have looked through the decades while the credits are running. Screen size and sound are relatively unimportant. Theatre/Showtimes.