So many people hailed as messianic saviours are actually quite flawed persons that hide deep and debilitating insecurities behind facade of celebrity. An example can be found in one of the main characters is The Couch Trip, 1988 comedy directed by Michael Ritchie. Dr. George Maitlin (played by Charles Grodin) is well-renowned Los Angeles psychiatrist who became celebrity thanks to immensely popular radio show in which listeners call over the phone and ask him for advice. Maitlin has, however, recently suffered from nervous breakdown resulting in suicide attempt, so he decides to take a sabbatical, using psychiatrists’ conference in London as an excuse. Someone, however, has to take his place in radio show and Maitlin insists that such person must be clearly less competent than him. Choice falls on Dr. Lawrence Baird (played by David Clennon), chief psychiatrist at Illinois detention centre for criminally insane. One of Baird’s patients is John W. Burns Jr. (played by Dan Aykroyd), career criminal who conned his way into hospital in order to escape prison and whose people’s skills and resourcefulness made him popular among the other patients and even some staff, including Baird’s secretary (played by Victoria Jackson), with whom he has torrid love affair. When Burns learns about Maitlin’s offer, he takes Baird’s identity, escapes from hospital and uses pre-paid plane ticket to arrive in Los Angeles. His debut at Maitlin’s radio show is smashing success, with his straight and unconventional approach winning the audience and leading Maitlin’s lawyer Harvey Michaels (played by Richard Romanus) to large advance payment to Burns, which he intends to use while escaping to Mexico. Burns’ plans are, however, endangered by Donald Becker (played by Walter Matthau), street preacher with criminal past who recognises Burns as fellow con artist and demands his own part in the charade.
Script, based on the novel by Ken Kolb, quickly removes any notion of satire against celebrity guru-like psychotherapists and their domination in American media. Humour is much broader, based on simple concepts like comedy of errors. The element that ultimately works and makes this film remarkable is Dan Aykroyd, an immensely talented comedian who makes character of Burns sympathetic to the audience with the combination of roguish charm, street smart and clear intellect. Aykroyd easily carries entire film and overshadows almost any other member of the cast. That includes Charles Grodin, who is actually very good in the role of ultra-neurotic psychiatrist descending into madness, but who simply appears too little in film to have a proper impact. Walther Matthau, while a very good actor and comedian in his own right, struggles with poorly developed character who could have been written out of the film. Donna Dixon as Dr. Laura Rollins, psychiatrist who assists Maitlin’s show, serves as mere eye candy, although Aykroyd can be forgiven for using this film as another opportunity to appear on screen with his gorgeous real life wife. The Couch Trip is nevertheless very good and funny film, but it begins to fall apart near the end, with some unnecessary melodrama and annoying tendency of 1980s comedies to end with action scenes. However, it still can be recommended to fans of Dan Aykroyd and less demanding viewers who want to enjoy some light entertainment.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
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