I went to see this with high hopes and for sure, it met and even exceeded my expectations. A great film lifted by another Oscar-worthy performance by Anthony Hopkins (seeing him perform is worth the price of admission on its own).

And the wonderful cinematography, together with engaging performances by the two leads, ensures that we're not just watching the equivalent of screening a stage play for a couple of hours.

I liked how the film allowed the characters to demonstrate their fallibilities and weaknesses as well as strengths, especially Matthew Goode playing CS Lewis, and in this way avoided becoming a mere intellectual sparring match between two "thought" giants of their time.

There's a lot in this film that leaves you to ponder, whether it's the contrast between Freud's ability to clinically dissect the lives of others whilst rather pitifully failing to master his own, or Lewis faith being put to the test - despite the strength of his intellect - by the debilitating impact his wartime experiences had on his mind.

If you like thought provoking films (or historically based period films) then you'll want to see this. And for Anthony Hopkins fans it's a must, of course.

The script is thought provoking as you follow a neurologist who discovered psychoanalysis conversing with a Christian author who wrote The Chronicles of Narnia. ALSO, the events take place on the day before WWII and both gentlemen are equally brilliant as they are stubborn, as seen with each of the many discussions-turned-arguments that take place. Transitions and flashbacks are heavily utilized to portray character depth, but whether it's a particular style of acting or the timing of each scene paired together, this format ultimately doesn't work. Anthony Hopkins and Matthew Goode showcase their individual acting talent with long monologues and fluctuating emotions, but in the pivotal moments of occupying a scene together, the chemistry never quite flourishes. However, director Matt Brown keeps the viewer engaged by allowing us to be an unbiased fly on the wall rather than purposely tilting the conversation in one direction. The story feels restrained, most likely due to the subject matter, but that won't affect the enjoyable experience that many will have.

I had anticipated more of a debate or extreme focus on the two men's opposing views, instead the "discussion" is couched amidst other story lines, all relatively true.

Anthony Hopkins is at his best.

This is an intellectual movie, rather than action packed. The filming is beautiful, seems very European and almost old fashioned. Not the camera jumping around so much.

It's a great moment in time, to consider who & what is God, taking place 1939 in London with air raids and flashbacks to WWI-- (albeit a fictional meeting) .

And quite frankly, with all that is going on in the world, it is as relevant now as then.