The German Film "Mahler on the Couch"

The German film "Mahler on the Couch," with English subtitles, is a visually stunning work of art.  Although, for the major movie going public, this film would be tantamount to watching paint dry.  Gustav Mahler seeks solace on the coach of Sigmund Freud upon discovering his wife (who is 20 years his junior)  is having an adulterous affair with a young, handsome suitor.  The tortured genius, Mahler, seeks out Freud who coaxes him into admitting his culpability in the demise of his real-life marriage to Alma Schindler, an aspiring pianist and composer.  In flashback, Mahler's subconscious shows Gustav & Alma in an idyllic loving and collaborative marriage.  The marriage cracks as Alma realizes her ambitions are quashed as Gustav's genius becomes all consuming.  The coupe de grace to their love comes with the death of their beloved daughter.  The breath-taking cinematography of this time capsule in fin-de-siecle Vienna has scenes with passionate sex and glimpses of other famous artists who crossed paths with the Mahlers.  But, for the most part, this is a film depicting the angst and grueling struggle of one of the world's greatest composers.  This film will appeal more to the haughty set; not to the masses.    This haughty, tautly critic  loved every drip of paint on the canvas.