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.

What a wonderful, charming, interesting and original movie. Indeed this movie is a surprise. How can this charming movie go unnoticed? What is it about Hollywood that invests it with the talent to create such an entertaining movie and then practically cast it aside with all the other wonderful movies that fail to catch on with the public? The movie's plot revolves around issues of trust that transcend usual professional bounds and suggests that sometimes the most effective therapists are those without the degrees. Also, this movie contains some excellent acting, especially by Loren Dean who plays the title role. Mr. Dean's performance is a tour de force, yet is unrecognized for reasons unknown. However there is at least one person who appreciates his performance, meaning me, and if others watch this movie maybe others will appreciate Mr. Dean's performance, and the movie, too.

Of all of the comments to date, Jotix describes this film best. It is very reminiscent of some of the work of the great directors of Hollywood's Golden Era: Frank Capra, Ernst Lubitsch and Preston Sturges. I cannot imagine categorizing this film. It is not a pure comedy, although it provides moments of cleverness and humor. But there is also a significant element of dramatic tension. It is certainly no intellectual tour de force, however, it is much more than a way to while away 100 minutes (or whatever the length of the film is). It is not a morality play, although you might find something meaningful to take away with you. It is a finely crafted, subtly nuanced, multi-faceted film, mirroring its title character. You might conclude from other opinions that Mumford (the character) is passive out of timidity or lack of purpose or even in order to preserve his anonymity. However, I believe he is passionate about his "profession" and has a very clear philosophy and purpose. I think his therapeutic prescriptions for his "patients" represent sympathetic, compassionate and very intentional interventions in their lives. However, his persona is low-key and his methods of intervention are indirect. Thus their dramatic impact seems to be just the natural consequence of the patients' living their own lives - just as the good doctor intends.This kind of subtlety is in short demand and hence supply in the contemporary world of in-your-face computer generated special effects, one dimensional characters and unimaginative dialog. But, if you enjoy films like Grand Canyon, The Accidental Tourist, Local Hero and Passion Fish, you'll like this film. It is driven by a great balance of plot and well developed characters, played by a wonderful ensemble cast.