Mumford (1999)

this is a wonderful movie with some great lessons about what good psychotherapy can look like. (i am a psychiatrist, and i teach psychotherapy to psychology and psychiatry trainees).OK, he's learning on the job, so he makes a few mistakes here and there (e.g. confidentiality). but he is intuitive, kind, caring, present, and natural - in contrast with the psychiatrist and the other psychologist in town, both of whom are stylized in the all-too-common "therapist" way).if he worked in my town, i'd refer patients to him. if your therapist feels and sounds like the psychiatrist in the film, go find a mumford.oh, and the film is fun, entertaining, hopeful - yet not all fun and games; there's a bit of a dark side.

A fantastic flick. I guess I can recommend it as a date flick because it's not only romantic, but also romantic... in the larger sense. If you like a good story and intelligent dialog you'll dig Mumford.It cleverly interweaves trenchant and even poignant characterizations and scenes with carefully directed, measured comic punch.This is one of the best film shills for psychoanalysis I've ever seen. I know Mumford makes light of the professionalism of Western shrinks, but I think there's an important message here for people who are seeking professional help. This message is: If you don't feel it happening, you have to throw the situation over and keep seeking. I believe Mumford succeeds in pushing the bar for mental health a little higher.Watch attentively and enjoy!

This is an honest movie about dishonesty. (Lawrence Kasdan), as a writer and director, did it so well. The cutest thing about it is giving the same name of the town (that the events take place in) to the lead/ the phony doctor who hides his truth. In fact the people of this little town are more or less like him. They all hide their truth, not avowing what they really want. This is a society that keeps itself behind masks; where everybody got used to wear, and nobody wants to take off to even know themselves.All the movie's elements (performance, cinematography, editing and music) are low-key. Here the deep sarcasm is mixed with a sense of tenderness attractively. The peak of both is in the scene in which the town's real psychiatrist feels great by talking to the town's unreal psychiatrist. Well, it's not only about how most doctors are blinded by making money more than seriously listening, but also it's about how not all the science is found in the books after all !There are no major problems I saw. Only a minor one about the fat pharmacist. I didn't wholly understand the character of that man. He lives many daydreams in a way separates him away from his reality. And he keeps dreaming of a hero that increases his incapacity compared to him. But how when the doctor just shows him the source of these reveries (the novels and comics of the 1950s) the man turns into another one, knowing exactly himself and what he wants, becoming his own "hero" in fantasy and reality ?? The movie doesn't give us any reason that makes a successful remedy out of this facing !! It's about lying. Or rather the worst kind at all; lying on one's self. However on a big scale, turning this behavior into the easiest – most current – societal dope. And how we win the satisfaction by stopping the stupefaction. I don't know how this very good movie isn't a big classic yet. It's sad how some certain movies got all the praise, the Oscars, and the immortalization, while others don't. Anyway, the "truthfulness" of its talent captivates anyone who watches it. And it is a big classic for me.

I've always caught this movie (on cable) in bits and pieces and never gave it too much thought or attention (I'm an action movie fan). The other day I hit it fairly close to the beginning and decided to stick with it - and pay attention (not that it requires a great deal of attention to figure out what's going on). What struck me throughout was the lack of any real "action" (it's very much a character-driven story) which forces you to focus on what is being said. And you can't help but come away with the realization that the dialogue is extremely honest and well written. When the end credits came up and said "written and directed by Lawrence Kasdan" I said to myself, "Well, now I know why." He's one of the best at dialogue. Kudos, Lawrence!