Crappy film

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

it is the rare 'crazy' movie that actually has something to say.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

Certainly, despite going uncredited here, Los Angeles is a silent partner in SHRINK, since it couldn't possibly have been set in any other place on earth, where "Dysfunctional" seems to be more the norm than the exception, when it comes to family, as well as to interpersonal and intra-personal, relationships! SHRINK can mean many different things to many different people in many different situations. That's an answer many Shrinks would be absolutely intrigued by; especially our conflicted anti-hero in this Kevin Spacey vehicle! For IMDb Reviewers SHRINK is just about as close to perfect as it gets: Writers, especially the "Screen-" variety, of every stripe abound: Ex-, failed, latent, undiscovered, washed-up, wannabes and hacks; they're all here. Hey! Aren't WE all writers? Wouldn't most of us love a crack at writing a screenplay with major backing? Acting, as well as producing, also find their way into SHRINK. Of course, the 800 pound Gorilla in the room here is Kevin Spacey, in a tailor-made, tour de force role as the somewhat self-absorbed, teetering-on-the-brink, grief-stricken, performance-impaired, celebrity Author/Shrink. His rendering merits 9*. Yet what surprises me most about SHRINK is the quality of the ensemble performance, by a relatively unknown cast.WOW! Director Jonas Pate, (His 3rd go in the Director's Chair, his first in 12 years!) certainly managed to get the very best out of his cast! Keke Palmer (AKEELAH and the BEE, remember?) has morphed from elementary school girl to high school student, and turns in a gifted, natural-as-can-be performance. Remember her name...We'll be hearing it a lot in coming years! Dallas Roberts is exquisite as the Uber-neurotic agent/production exec. His "I'm Afraid of Everything!" monologue is Oscar-worthy! There are others who deserve mention, but I want to leave some things to you! A few flaws, but willing to overlook them. .. 9*....ENJOY/DISFRUTELA!

It's hard to find a Kevin Spacey performance that doesn't deliver and this one is no exception. He's great in it and all the characters are well developed with one exception. I don't want to spoil the movie at all but I think you'll see what I mean as you watch it. It was also very nice to see a movie that was clearly made in Los Angeles, just about every scene was in a neighborhood I recognized. From Los Feliz to the Hollywood hills and Griffith Park to the Bank of America building downtown, every scene was real Los Angeles which is always a treat for us locals. It's got drama and a little humor delivered on perfect pitch all the way through and you'll find it easy to lose yourself in the story.

I just caught this quirky movie on Netflix. Yet another exploration of the ennui that surrounds celebrity status, this is a great little gem that showcases Spacey's talents well. It came very close to being great, but stopped short, I suspect because of bad decisions in direction and editing. Characters were brought in (Robin Williams being one) for side stories which never quite connected to the main plot. Pot addiction is shown as a series of untimely naps, which is not realistic. The audience never gets a glimpse into the main character's despair, or the circumstances surrounding his wife's death. A love interest is developed and then never followed through. Characters walk in and out of the story without strong reasons. The ending is trite, as if they just needed to wrap it up. Too many loose ends, and a waste of some good talent. Nonetheless, because of Spacey (and a nod to the well-developed friendship with his drug dealer, that was fun to watch) I hung in there happily right to the end.

Saw this via Netflix streaming video.Kevin Spacey is PhD psychologist Henry Carter, with a practice in Los Angeles. He sees not only local "stars", he also sees the ordinary guys. But Henry has a problem, since his wife's death he isn't really present, emotionally, and has resorted to a slovenly life and smoking lots of pot every chance he gets. The story is about Henry, and how he might get his mojo back, but also about an assorted cast of characters, all connected to Henry through his practice. And then, some of them interconnected with each other, although few of them know each other as the movie begins. One is teenager Keke Palmer as high school student Jemma. She is bright but completely unmotivated by school. One time we see her actually get up and leave class, over the objections of her teacher. Where does she go? To the theater, to watch movies, that is what she wants to do, make movies. Henry sees her pro bono. They have positive influences on each other.Another is Saffron Burrows as Kate Amberson, she and her partner attend sessions with Henry, but it soon becomes clear that her partner is a jerk, and it is a matter of time before she is free to eventually pursue something with Henry and help him out of his funk. Another is Pell James as Daisy, pregnant and working for a movie producer. But the baby isn't hers. it is her sister's, she is just carrying it for her. As she says, "She provided the egg, I provide the oven." But she too really wants to get out on her own to produce movies. I enjoyed it for the characters, there is nothing novel about any of the stories, but they are presented in an interesting way.