Shrink (2009)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Jonas Pate

Writer:

Thomas Moffett (screenplay)

Release Date:

6 August 2009 (Greece)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The doctor is out.

Plot:

Unable to cope with a recent personal tragedy, LA's top celebrity shrink turns into a pothead with no concern for his appearance and a creeping sense of his inability to help his patients.

Plot Keywords:

Shrink | Drug Dealer | Script | Dead Dog | One Word Title

Cast

Kevin Spacey	...	Henry Carter
Joe Nunez	...	Recording Supervisor (as Joseph A. Nuñez)
Mark Webber	...	Jeremy
Keke Palmer	...	Jemma
Sierra Aylina McClain	...	Carina
Ada Luz Pla	...	Teacher
Saffron Burrows	...	Kate Amberson
Jack Huston	...	Shamus
Pell James	...	Daisy
Mei Melançon	...	Miyu
Dallas Roberts	...	Patrick
Andrew Sibner	...	Richie
Troy Metcalf	...	O.T.
Kendall Clement	...	Uncle Jim
Jesse Plemons	...	Jesus

MPAA:

Rated R for drug content throughout, and pervasive language including some sexual references.

Runtime:

Canada:104 min | Germany:110 min (European Film Market) | USA:104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #45374) | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Netherlands:6 | Singapore:M18 (cut)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Ignite Entertainment

Goofs:

Continuity: When Jeremy is picking up Jemma in the video store, the prominent clock over the door jumps backwards about 3.5 hours during the half-minute conversation.

Quotes:

Robert Carter: [quoting] It's a comfort for seekers to know that no matter how much strange water they may venture, there are always pilots within call. But yet the sufferer must help himself.

Movie Connections:

References Fargo (1996)

Soundtrack:

Vintage Sci-Fi Soundtrack

Disappointingly not engaging

This film is about a psychiatrist who fell into a mess of drug addiction and emotional turmoil after his wife's death.

"Shrink" could have been interesting, as it chronicles the healer's life being wounded. Acting is good, sets are nice and production is good too. However, the pacing is simply too slow. I also find the characters not so engaging. I view their lives, their pains and their struggles, but I don't feel for them. I just don't care about them. This lack of engagement kills the movie for me.

The strong cast and strong acting (especially by Kevin Spacey) failed to translate into a piece of touching cinema. It's a great pity.