I didn't know this film was out there; thank you so much for this review.

The issue with achievements of people like Mesmer is always with impossibility of using the scientific method to prove or disprove their claims. Similar issue was face by Carl von Reichenbach in regards to so called Od and odyle - a hypothetical force or agent quite similar to vital force and prana concept-wise. Frankly, I don't see how this would change unless some fundamental breakthrough takes place proving another, hitherto unknown dimension of matter, or something like that, which would allow to somehow measure with certainty new, previously unexplained phenomena. Because if science disregards application of the scientific method and proceeds to declare something as true, it simply isn't science anymore.

From the trailer I gather the film deals with the favorite topics of early psychotherapists: neurosis and hysteria. In this regard the award nominated film Freud: The Secret Passion could be an interesting watch for those that are interested in these themes and haven't seen it.