Kevin Spacey shines in his portrayal of a Los Angeles psychiatrist, Dr. Henry Carter, who’s been hitting the booze and drugs pretty hard in the wake of a personal tragedy. After an intervention by his family and friends falls flat, the doctor’s father (also a psychiatrist, and played by the great Robert Loggia), sets his son up with a new patient, a teenage girl named Jemma (Keke Palmer) who has faced a tragedy similar to Carter’s, in the hope that the case will help his son re-engage in life and better confront his own grief. Despite seeing right through the plan, Dr. Carter grudgingly takes on the case and it indeed starts him back on a more positive, functional path, though things don’t happen easily.
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An ensemble cast, mostly playing Dr. Carter’s other patients, also slowly get drawn into the main story, either directly or through the comments they make about their own problems during their sessions with Carter. An unbilled Robin Williams is a particular standout in his small but memorable role as a movie star confronting his own personal issues (everyone has them in this movie). Indeed, many of Dr. Carter’s patients are in the movie business in some way, bringing about an interesting juxtaposition of intense personal issues on the part of some patients (and Carter) and quirky Hollywood shallowness from others.
“Shrink” is mostly serious, but it’s lightened a little by Dr. Carter’s wry, dry sense of humor (perfectly brought to life by Mr. Spacey), which the character can’t help displaying even when he’s hurting and wants to be left alone. Keke Palmer’s Jemma is also a ray of sunshine in the film, despite the seriousness of her own issues. And, as previously noted, the occasional Hollywood humor, centering around the often insane world of movie deals and star egos, also keeps things from getting too heavy.
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I was lucky enough to see “Shrink” on the big screen during its brief and limited theatrical run (thank you, “Ritz Five” theater in Philadelphia!), and heartily recommend it for home viewing when it comes out on DVD.
The 2008 film ‘Shrink’ is a dark comedy bent on attacking the multitude of facades, private and personal, that separate us from our innermost feelings, needs and desires. Considering the subject matter what better location is there to confront the unreality of life, why Los Angeles of course. And surely what profession among all possible professions would be best suited to serve as the ultimate hiding place for someone hiding from himself? Lets say it together, a psychiatrist of course. That leaves one final, essential element to complete the equation. Amongst all the great actors who have the ability to emote angst, loneliness and utter desolation who would you think is perfect for the role. You’re right again, Kevin Spacey. Wasn’t that easy?
Synopsis: Dr. Henry Carter (Spacey) appears to be a successful, self-realized shrink on the outside. He runs a thriving practice and has written a recent best selling book on how to be happy. However when he steps out of the public eye his true nature surfaces. The death of his wife still haunts him. Most people think she died by accident, but he knows it was suicide. He finds himself unable to come to terms with her actions and struggles with undefined guilt and depression. When away from work and book promotions he keeps to himself, spending his time drinking and smoking pot. He is anything but happy and fulfilled.
As you would expect, his private failures and professional success eventually collide and rise to the surface with disastrous results. As chaos abounds two new female patients come into his life, one a beautiful woman trapped in a bad marriage, the other a young girl dealing with her mothers suicide. Dr. Carter sees in these two a second chance for both them and himself. Helping them just might provide the antidote enabling him to reconnect with himself and the outside world.
Critique: This is Spacey doing what Spacey does best, no one can convey inner angst as well as he can. He’s Mr. Existential of the 21st century. Unfortunately there’s really nothing here that you haven’t seen Spacey do before. The same can be said for the rest of the film as well. The production values and cast are solid, it’s definitely a quality movie. However like Spacey there’s nothing new forthcoming, you know exactly where the storyline is going long before you get there. Rent this one, but buy ‘American Beauty’.
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