The movie runs out of plot and jokes well before the end of a two-hour running time, long for a light comedy.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

Think House meets One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. But change cranky, gimp-legged diagnostician Dr Gregory House with an impish, boy toy shrink and Nurse Ratched for a comely cougar chief administrator and Voila! . . . a FOX prime time TV series targeted at soccer moms on meds. But why stop there with the similarities to House? Why mess with success when you can plagiarize the play book of "Maverick White Hero Triumphs Over 'Diversity' and Teaches Uppity Women and Nervous Nelly Minorities a Lesson in How to Terrorize Your Patients Using Rogue Medical Techniques". Start by hiring a British actor, place him in a cold, sterile institution that frowns upon "genius" and staff it with earnest, well meaning staff who prefer to "play it safe and by the book" while our unconventional hero uses his rakish charm to enlist the support of his former lover who just so happens to run the hospital. Former lover should be an aging albeit hot brunette on the wrong side of forty conflicted by her burgeoning sexual attraction to recently hired doctor/ex-boyfriend, and her desire to avoid the inevitable lawsuits resulting from his "inspired" treatments. Replace Dr House's acutely observed misanthropy with cutely observed musings on the "mysteries of the human mind" and you have 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo House . . . and Dropped a Great Steaming Load' aka 'Mental'.

Is someone forcing Chris Vance to over play the part of smart-Brit-in- America? One reviewer noted that he was ever smirking. I concur. Are we supposed to like his character or distrust him? It's hard to trust a character who is trying to manipulate the audience into believing he is always spot-on, with ready-made wise answers. Make the ossified American version of the BBC stereotype go away! The public watch BBC and PBS programming and expect a more complex protagonist, if only because he is not American. Give us the savvy consuming public(& Chris Vance) a break!!! Vance looks like a cross between a youthful Sting and Harvey Keitel. And sounds like Julian Sands to boot! Shine on, Chris Vance.

"Mental" has a definitively different look and feel to most other series due in part to location filming in Bogota, Columbia. It gives an impression of subtlety, akin to many series I have viewed from Europe and Australia. With all of the reality-TV dreck that is pumped out continuously, it is refreshing to hear some interesting dialogue despite what is admittedly formulaic plot development. If anything, I suggest the writers and producers move to an edgier approach in order to escape the "House" comparisons. The topic of mental illness is that last societal taboo that makes us squeamish so perhaps pushing that a bit more would be healthier in the long run--provided it is done with sensitivity and without cliché. Chris Vance delivers a solid performance (as usual) as the new kid on the ward, Dr. Jack Gallagher. Annabella Sciorra is a great actor, but under-utilised as the physician/administrator and moral compass. The producers have a chance to move forward with something really different without resorting to the cheap stunts that so many series resort to to maintain viewership. I hope they get that opportunity.

I can't believe the very negative review earlier so I had to write something as I really think people should give this show a chance. All the other nice shows are on summer holiday and this is really a very enjoyable show with a nice cast and a great theme. Also the show tackles some very important issues that prevent people from solving problems in real life because of bureaucracy, rules and being disconnect from really caring because of the workload and losing touch of the things that really matter..The show is funny, witty and I thought the Pilot was more than enjoyable and the people that haven't seen it can't be the one telling us it's no good! (ratings are overrated ;))Give this show a go, I am giving it a 10 out of 10, I think it's an 8 at least but the 1 star given by my fellow reviewer is ridiculously unfair!