Genres

Visitors Review

2012-05-21 14:41:16

Shrink, shrank, shrunk

Six vignettes revolve, seemingly at random, around the central character of a clinical psychologist who is depressed, drug addicted, and highly unethical. With a focus on "the biz", we follow an agent, a male and a female film star, a valet who wants to be a screenwriter, a drug pusher who supplies several of them with their daily fix, and a disturbed girl who likes to view movies. This self absorbed narcissistic type of film could only be made about Hollywood, but for someone who is not in "the biz" it's all very depressing and uninteresting.The deadly dull topic is not helped by poor performances from virtually everyone involved, although some space needs to be given to Robin Williams who is far worse than most. At least Kevin Spacey doesn't chew up the scenery, as he has in some other films (e.g., "Casino Jack", "Swimming with Sharks").The film is directed by Jonas Pate whose main credits are TV. Thomas Moffett is the writer and he plays a writer in the film (how original!). This was his second time out as a writer/actor, and while the writing is terrible, he's not a bad actor and puts in one of the better performances in what is otherwise a clearly unenthusiastic bunch.The film has 7 producers, which is almost always a red flag. Lukas Ettlin handles the photography, which is up to the standard of the acting. The only thing worse than the script, acting, and photography is the audio, which at times is completely incomprehensible. On second thought, maybe that's not a fault with this particular flick.I can't tell you how many times I thought about turning this off, but I was compelled by the belief that something this bad had to have an ending that was really good and would somehow redeem the entire film. After all, many of the talents associated with the film have a good track record. Alas, redemption never arrives.

Gloria 2012-05-21 00:36:03

Make Spacey your Shrink!

I loved this sickie. Everything about it is great. You know what to expect when you see Spacey but you go anyway and you are not disappointed. The characters are credible. The sets are beautiful.

christianvillagomez 2012-05-15 15:30:55

Very, very memorable example of filmmaking

First of all I've been very aware of how critics gave this filmlackluster reviews yet I beg to differ, and thankfully so do mostpeople rating this on IMDb. It's essentially a Hollywood dramedyrevolving around the couple of individual lives including Dr. HenryCarter played oh so charismatically and sharply by Kevin Spacey withmany other characters such as Jeremy, an ongoing writer played by MarkWebber and Jemma: an emotionally struggling teenager girl played by thevery identifiable star Keke Palmer. Be aware though, I watched this onT.V and was very close to passing this up due to it's not-so-appealing2/4 star rating on Dish but I really felt like I needed to see this atleast once due to its interesting premise and after watching it I wasproud to say to myself that it exceeded beyond any short-termexpectations I may have had for it at the moment. The most identifiabletrait that really characterized it is that it may be just over anhour-and-a-half but it feels just over 2 hours, most people wouldassume that's a bad thing and would immediately go on to bash it forits slow pace, I prefer to call it STEADY pacing since thecharacterizations are done so right considering director Jonas Pate'svery realistic and, should I say, very TRANQUIL style. You really hangon throughout this whole journey of a movie embracing what next stepeach of these people have to face in their lives and I couldn't helpbut feel satisfied by the end of the movie, which is indeed the sureplus way of knowing it was a good movie wait, change that: a fantasticmovie.

Stephen Holden 2012-05-15 04:47:01

Like smog settling over Los Angeles, a creeping sense of anomie haunts the Hollywood power players and parasites sidling nervously through Shrink.

moviemanMA 2012-05-11 12:42:54

Tell it to me straight, doc

Shrink stars Kevin Spacey as Henry Carter, a psychiatrist who's fortuneand fame just doesn't seem to matter any more after the loss of hiswife. Now is the time to cope, and that is something that he justcannot deal with. Instead he goes into a downward spiral of self pity,denial, and drug use.Basically it is going to take a lot for Dr. Carter to see what he isdoing to himself. What unfolds is a Crash-like web of interweavingstories that end up coming together in the end. There is the agent, histaken for granted secretary, the up and coming movie star, the agingmovie star, the drug dealer, the distracted and misguided teenager, theyoung, talented, and undiscovered writer, and of course, the shrink. Imight have even missed a character or two.This film means well. It has some good characters and a good directionof where it is going. The only problem is that it has too much goingon. Films like Pulp Fiction and Crash have a lot of characters andsubplots going on, but the material is so rich and powerful that is cansupport big twists, connections, and revelations. This film justdoesn't have enough "umph" to get off the ground.Spacey does a pretty decent job at portraying Dr. Carter. He is mostlydeadpan and emotionless, with the exception of a few revealing scenes.Other than that he doesn't show off too much of his skill, justfulfills the role of his character. I was pleased with Robin Williamsperformance as the aging actor trying to find himself during a latemid-life crisis.What would have made this film better would be to limit the number ofstories going on, following just a few, or maybe even one. I thinkSpacey's conflict is enough to carry a film. It also would have givenhim more freedom to explore his character. There is a lot going onunder the surface that we only get to see for a little while. I wantedmore. I wanted something like in American Beauty where we get to seeeverything that the character has to offer. It's like watching themetamorphosis of a butterfly. Each stage is so defined and clearlylabeled. Here we just see a few rises and falls, and that's about it.It's a pretty run of the mill indie dramedy with a few laughs here, afew tears there, and nothing really outstanding going on otherwise. Iwouldn't say avoid it, but I wouldn't go out of my way to find it. Youwill not need therapy after viewing this, that's for sure.

Tricia Olszewski 2012-05-10 23:22:39

Third act brings lazy storytelling, both too clean and too cute. It'd have the pre-redemption Dr. Carter running for his stash.

Susan S 2012-05-09 06:13:31

NOT A COMEDY!!

Redbox listed this as a Comedy-Drama. NO comedy in this movie. DARK, DEPRESSING, SAD movies, but well acted.Ending was just fair.

Kevin Lee 2012-05-08 14:21:37

Never mind the crazy cast; this weary retread of trendy multicharacter melodramas is what's really unhinged.

Owen Gleiberman 2012-05-05 23:25:45

It wants to be Good Will Hunting set in the land of Entourage, but its bummed-out touchy-feeliness is every bit 
as concocted as its overly jaded showbiz corruption.

Frank Swietek 2012-05-05 11:59:16

Almost everyone's miserable in Shrink--but nobody more so than a person unlucky enough to be watching it.

mellowinman 2012-05-04 03:29:20

Great Film

I gave it a 7, just because it's not a big film; it's not an ambitiousfilm; it's not a "perfect" film; it's just a great film.Kevin Spacey is fantastic. The writing is very good, and the directionis, well, different. I kept expecting it to disappoint me, and then itnever really did. It's not for everybody.The reason I liked it so much is that I thought all the acting was sovery good. I like to see actors give subtle performances, and I thoughtevery single one of them did here. No one was anything less thanfantastic.The film was touching, without being overly sentimental. I never feltmanipulated by the filmmakers. I just felt like it got reinforced thatwe all have our flaws, and that we can overcome those flaws. Itreminded me that people I might not like very much might have some goodqualities, regardless of whether or not I approve of them.And it just made me think there is hope, and I can never give less thanseven stars to a film that does that.

Spaceygirl 2012-05-03 07:46:59

Underrated and brilliant!

In a word - Brilliant. 'Shrink' is one of those movies with a huge castand lots of different characters that leave you feeling quitedisorientated till you work out who's who and how everyone fitstogether. An outstanding cast that includes Robert Loggia, RobinWilliams (playing against type) Keke Williams, Saffron Burrows andDallas Roberts led by the incomparable Kevin Spacey, who is his usualbrilliant self. (Biased? ME?) The script sparkles and the charactersare very engaging. A bit on the kooky side but hey, this IS Hollywood!Very funny and very scathing, Jonas Pate has turned in a winner withthis one. I just can't understand why it's been overlooked in theawards department. Very highly recommended!

Christian Toto 2012-05-02 16:11:15

Shrink reminds us why Kevin Spacey matters.

2012-05-02 08:38:12

"Shrink" is a really good film.

"Shrink" has such copious amounts of ethos and pathos that you are completely sucked in. The performances are so nuanced and lived-in that there is such an air of reality to the proceedings. Kevin Spacey gives an incredible performance (one of his best, personally) and the amazing Keke Palmer delivers in spades. The interweaving stories work for the most part, which says a lot for that type of film. Sometimes movies like this can be contrived, and "Shrink" can be, but for extremely fleeting moments. The vignettes are stung together in a way that is only believable for Los Angeles (the ending for sure), and in that it works. The cinematography is inspired (with one hell of a master shot) and is like a whole other character. "Shrink" is not perfect, but either is life and this film is first and foremost a story about life, so I can forgive whatever flaws it may have.

Michael Posner 2012-04-27 01:29:32

No one knows why bad things happen to good people. But we do know why bad things happen to good film ideas. They get ruined by poor scripts and indifferent direction.

jotix100 2012-04-26 17:14:50

Get Carter

A Hollywood psychiatrist, Henry Carter, is in dire need of helphimself. One wonders how this pot smoking therapist could even betreating patients that are really screwed up. Not only that, he haswritten a book that is a 'must read', according to people that know.Carter is going through a rough period in his life because he iswounded man suffering after his wife committed suicide. Even hisfather's advice has any effect in him.Dr. Carter's patients are a mixed lot. The gorgeous actress KateAmberson can't cope with an obsession about growing old in a town thatdoesn't forgive anyone for doing so. There is Patrick, an agent with anelite clientele who is a hypochondriac with a compulsive disorder. Jackanother actor, has a drinking problem and a sexual addiction. The youngblack teenager, Jemma, is recovering from a family tragedy. One canhelp wondering how can a man that needs all the help himself beobjective in treating these assorted characters.Jonas Pate, the director, working on the screenplay by Thomas Moffett,takes the viewer into that rarefied world of wounded people who aren'tdealing with reality. Lucas Ettlin and Isaac Phillips cinematographydoes wonders to add to the atmosphere of the film. Brian Reitzelloriginal score works well.Kevin Spacey, one of the best actors of his generation, tends tosurprise us with his choices of films roles, not always as good as hedeserves. His Henry Carter is not one of his best creations, but it'simpossible to ignore him whenever he appears on the screen. DallasRoberts brings to life his character. Saffron Burrows makes a case forher aging actress. Robin Williams and Gore Vidal make cameoappearances.One can only hope never to be treated by a shrink like Henry Carterthough!

alexo-8 2012-04-26 05:23:09

A European movie from Hollywood?!

I've seen movies like this one, but the thing is they're all European.So, I ask my self, why would the Americans want to make a Europeanmovie? The movies should be fun and entertaining, not depressing.That's what the European filmmakers usually don't know, and that's whythey rarely come out with a big success. I believe that "Shrink" is oneof the rare American movies that take European approach, usually it'sthe other way around. Don't believe me?! Go and take a look at theItalian film "La Stanza Del Figlio" and "Shrink" will look like asequel. But don't get me wrong, I don't dare saying the movie is bad. Ireally think that these guys deserve 9 out of 10 just for making aneffort to come out with something new and for being able to withstandthe pressure of Hollywood (and it's well known clichés), while goingupstream.

NewSkol 2012-04-25 20:41:24

Underrated. Brilliant, Simple, Real.

If you are an IMDb addict like myself who has set himself or herselfstrict guidelines as to the minimum score and/or number of votes, thenthis movie is one of those films that are underrated. Personally, Ibroke my rule of a minimum of 7.0 rating due to the fact that KevinSpacey was in the picture. Very glad I did so. In fact, I am going tocancel all rulings based on this movie alone. Before I go on, I must say that it is understandable why the movie isunderrated. The movie develops at a slower pace than what the averagemovie fan is used to and it definitely lacks the suspense moments,action, thrills and so on. However it has so much more to compensatefor it. Intricate character development, superb acting, deep and verywell though through screenplay and dialogues, makes this movie abrilliant and yet simple unique creation. It makes you think about your own lives, the lives of those around you.Everybody has got problems, everyone has got issues, its not just onthe big screen. Often, the stories of those around you are far moreprofound than what you see on the screen. The screenplays and movieshave tried nearly every possible scenario, every possible plot.Directors and screenwriters, alike, try to deliver ever morecomplicated and twisted plots that the movie watchers would besurprised by. This movie strikes all that, it forgets Hollywood anddelivers something unique and true to humanity. It brings you down toearth and sheds light into the lives of those around you, on somethingthat happens to a lot of us, everyday. As always, Kevin Spacey delivers a top notch performance. This is themovie that you would want to see more than once, maybe it is one ofthose movies that you would be willing to watch twice… in a row. Ibelieve that there is something to be found in this movie upon each newtime that you watch it. It is definitely one of the best movies in thepast year or so. Simply brilliant.

2012-04-25 00:47:40

"Failed Nobility" -- Earnest, But Clueless

As the big studios make fewer and fewer legitimate dramas, it was heartwarming to see this indy drama take up big themes in a serious, even earnest, way. (As both a writer and a survivor of the suicide of my brother I was also personally interested in how the filmmakers would depict the emotional/psychological arc of grief-to-acceptance.) I applaud the filmmakers courage in dealing with suicide, grief, and the artistic process, but I just don't think the writer and director were up to the task which they set for themselves.You've heard of a "noble failure"? Well, I would call "Shrink" "failed nobility".The structure of the film is a "Crash"-type ensemble of disparate characters making connections as the film progresses. This is a delicate and vulnerable style and I don't think the filmmakers hid the contrivances of plot very well. When one of the key plot points involves a lost script and who -- in all of Los Angeles -- finds it, the manipulations were bald and obvious. (Also, I wasn't counting, but there were 4 or 5 montage sequences which, again, felt painfully manipulative and artistically hollow.) The characters inched very close to cliche many times (eg. the alcoholic Irish actor, the obsessive-compulsive agent, the sex-addict middle-aged actor. etc -- and this is "serious" drama?), but the acting is excellent (particularly the agent and the young girl). However the depth of thought in dialogue and action that the film clearly thinks it is evoking just isn't there. (Just because you quote Kierkegaard and Mailer doesn't mean you know or, even more importantly, convey their wisdom in your art form. And did anyone tell poor Gore Vidal he was in a film that name-drops Mailer?) Also, the 3rd Act "Let's All Make A Movie" happy ending ("cinema ex machina" anyone?), in my opinion, simply wasn't earned by the film. It was as if somebody lifted the cloud and, suddenly, all the grieving and self-destructive behavior stopped and everyone was bequeathed happiness. This rarely works work even in fables, let alone in a psychologically realist drama where depicting the process of how hurt turns into healing is the magic of art. Again, I was rooting for this film, but, in the end, it felt like it was conceived by very smart, talented, ambitious and well-educated adolescents unable to fully comprehend the existential demands of adulthood (or even the artist, for that matter). Maybe next time.

jeffrey4949 2012-04-24 11:33:24

A movie that reinforces the sad reality of life for many in L.A.

The plot is simple and well tried - a group of seemingly unconnectedpeople become connected for good or for bad by means of a commondenominator - in this case Kevin Spacey, who is a 'Shrink to theStars'; but a shrink who himself is so lost through the death of hiswife that he himself can't cope. He needs more help than they do. Evenhis father, who is... yes, you guessed it... a shrink, can't seem to domuch to help.The movie is set in L.A. and does a great job in reinforcing thepicture that the rest of the world has about many people in L.A.(especially those who are Hollywood connected), who seem always to bewallowing in a mix of self-pity and helplessness, and who are dependenton drugs and shrinks (or should that be shrinks who are themselvesdependent on something or somebody else?).I don't rate 'SHRINK'. Kevin does his very best to deliver weak linesand he must have been fed up that the director could only think to showhow screwed up he was by making him either slump in a chair for hoursendlessly puffing on cigarettes and marijuana, or sitting for days incar with a low life drug pusher gaining buying both more drugs andhomespun therapy. In fact the director struggles throughout to makesomething of this script and screen play. Probably because he is taskedwith showing people having problems who really don't have any biggerproblems than millions of others around the world in or outside L.A.Robin Williams appears in a cameo role as... well himself, as far as Icould tell. His appearance adds no weight to the movie whatsoever (infact the opposite) and the producers should have saved his fees andgiven a less well known actor a chance. The feel-good ending is nothingmore than a convenient way to finish. No. The director of SHRINK shouldnot be too proud of himself. As a movie, Shrink fails to deliver anymeaningfull story or memorable experience. The only smiley aspect ofthe whole production was the movie producer character who is paranoidover cleanliness and calamity. That added a light humorous touch, butit was not enough to redeem the director in general and he should neverbe forgiven for the unimaginative way he handled the 'kicking over themotorcycle' scene. Even my parrot knew that was coming.Shrink fails to convince the viewer that anyone in the story has such aserious problem that can't be solved by sipping a nice cup of tea andchatting with a sensible friend.Watch it but don't expect too much.