This film is about a psychiatrist who, after his wife's death and an entry into the world of drugs, begins to question his ability to help his patients, despite his fame, success and the various famous clients he has among the Hollywood elite. The only solution to his doubts is the confrontation with Jemma, a middle-class girl who also suffers from an unresolved mourning and is the only person able to see things from another perspective.This movie might have been good, but it's just plain messy. The pace is too slow and the characters are monotonous, uninteresting and poorly developed, with no connection between them and the audience. The film has a strong cast, full of sounding names like Kevin Spacey and Robin Williams, but there is no good material to give them and Jonas Pate's direction is absolutely incompetent. For example, Robin Williams never plays a character. He is limited to being himself saying decorated lines. With the exception of these two actors, who stood out to me because I know them, the rest of the cast merged into an amorphous, almost anonymous crowd. I had a hard time noticing who is who, to the point of losing my interest in the film. The task of watching it has become inglorious.What does it matter if the sets and costumes are good, if cinematography fulfills her role well, if the soundtrack proved to be competent? If I, as a public, can not understand the film, if I do not feel attracted to the story and everything loses interest because it's boring, the movie is not good for me.

Perhaps I should preface this review by pointing out that I can only imagine that I am the intended target audience for this film; a student studying psychology at university, a bit of a film fanatic, a fan on Kevin Spacy's work, with a penchant for films with a sad edge. However, I don't think any of that makes my opinion invalid on this matter and I genuinely believe this is an underrated film.Critics were rather harsh on this film, as shown by the 40 average on Metacritic; however I can't help but question reviews which claim that "The more Shrink tries to get you invested in the emotional turmoil of its characters, the more you want to reach into the screen and shake them and tell them to get over themselves." At no moment did I find myself telling a man who's wife commit suicide, who felt like a fraud in his work because he was meant to be leading others to happiness when he couldn't escape depression himself, to get over himself. Nor did I feel repulsed by a daughter's plight over her mother's suicide. Of course, not all the characters' problems were as serious as this, indeed one is not supposed to feel sorry for Jack Holden (Robin Williams) or Partick (Dallas Roberts), a fact that seems to be overlooked by venom filled reviewers who condemn this as a Hollywood 'pity party'.Ultimately, however, if you look past all the resent that seems to be associated with reviewing this film you just see a really good drama, with impressive performances from the cast in general and stand-outs from Kevin Spacey (Henry) and Sierra McClain (Jemma) as the aforementioned psychiatrist and school girl, respectively, as they attempt to overcome the sense of guilt and responsibility which they associate with their loved one's suicides. Yes, the ending is somewhat contrived and can be seen a mile off, but this is a genuinely satisfying drama with some great shots and a nice, understated, soundtrack.Certainly worth a watch.

As Christmas was arriving,a friend of mine very kindly gave to me a voucher for free three rentals.Realiseing,that if I went for some films just before Christmas,that I would be able to keep them for two days longer than normal.With having picked up two titles,I went looking up and down the rows of DVDs for a film that I have not heard of,that would stand out on the shelf's.When I got to one of the last shelves,I was instantly surprised to see a cover to a Kevin Spacey film,that I've not heard even the slightest thing about.The plot: Psychologist Henry Carter,who has to try and help a number Hollywood celebrates to deal with all of their deep problems,is having a lot of trouble dealing with his problems.Due to these issues,he starts to become very cynical and also starts smoking marijuana.This causes his family to set up a Wake to try and help him.When Carter gets annoyed at how it seems that some of his family members may be talking down to him,so he decides to tell them the reason that has made him depressed.He tells them that he has been laying to them about his wife dying in a car accident.Because he did not want anyone else to have to try and deal with the issue that his wife had committed suicide.After hearing this,his dad suggested to Carter that he takes on a client as a pro-bono case.Though Henry is initially resistant to taking on the client,he later on discovers that him and the new client have a lot more in common then he suspects..View on the film:After having viewed the film,I feel very disappointed that this film has been so over looked,With director Jonas Pate shooting the film in a very enjoyable style,that has a similar feel to the great films that director Gabriele Muccino has made with Will Smith,with a very grainy,and slightly off-centre look.The screenplay by Thomas Moffet does an excellent job at making each of Henry Carters clients stand out, and mostly making sure to not fall into any of the many clichés about the troubled life styles of the Rich & Famous.With the performances, One of the most surprising things in the film was the performance of Robin Williams as Jack (though this Jack thankfully has no relation at all to the other Jack that Williams has played in the past)Williams does well at showing how Jack is trying to deal with the fact that his time in the lime light is fading away, without falling into melodrama.Looking at Kevin Spaceys performance,it is a huge joy to see how much great relish he gives to his performance as Dr Henry Carter.Spacey always makes sure that whilst Carter has a cynical attitude,he never talks down to his clients or fall into making the character nihilistic,which would have been something that most actors would have done,due to the things that the character is trying to deal with.Final view on the film:A film that you should hunt down to watch,which is well written,and strongly directed,with excellent performances from the whole cast.

Once again anything that Kevin Spacey touches is usually gold. The narcissist story line runs throughout. It is for you to decide which character cares only for themselves the most but don't worry most will get a blast of humanity.Especially enjoyable is the father son relationship between Henry Carter, Spacey, and his father, Robert Loggia. The dynamic of an old school Psychiatrist, Loggia, to a "Therapist to the Stars", Spacey, is both funny and painful some at the same time.The out reach of Henry to the young Jemma, Keke Palmer, is the true plot line that runs the movie forward. Watching them try to build a relationship is deeply moving at times and even more so into the climax. No big twists but a pleasant ride!