Watch Beyond Therapy
- R
- 1987
- 1 hr 33 min
-
4.8 (1,399)
Beyond Therapy is a 1987 American comedy film directed by Robert Altman and starring Julie Hagerty, Jeff Goldblum, and Glenda Jackson. It is based on a play of the same name by Christopher Durang. The story is centered around two people, Prudence (Hagerty) and Bruce (Goldblum), who are seeking therapy for their own individual problems. Prudence is looking for a stable relationship while Bruce is dealing with his homosexuality. They each end up seeing the same therapist, Charlotte (Jackson), but she only causes more confusion between them.
Throughout the film, Prudence and Bruce struggle with their own identities and desires. Prudence is a stereotypical New York neurotic who is afraid of commitment and refuses to settle for anything less than the perfect man. Bruce is a bisexual, who has difficulty figuring out who he truly wants. They both search for guidance from Charlotte, who seems to be just as lost as they are.
The film's comedic moments come from the interactions between the characters. The audience is given insight into the ridiculousness and absurdity of therapy as a practice. The sessions between Prudence and Bruce are particularly entertaining, as they find more comfort in discussing their own problems than in attempting a romantic relationship.
The film also touches upon themes of sexual identity, self-discovery, and societal pressure. Through Prudence and Bruce's experiences, the audience sees how they struggle with society's expectations of what it means to be normal and how it affects their self-image.
The performances of the three lead actors are incredibly strong. Hagerty brings her signature brand of neuroticism to her role, while Goldblum plays Bruce with a sense of confusion and emotion. Jackson's performance as the therapist is pitch-perfect, as she portrays Charlotte as both professional and misguided.
Beyond Therapy is a unique comedy that sheds light on the absurdity of therapy and the complexities of sexual identity. It serves both as a product of its time as well as a timeless exploration of human relationships and desires.
Beyond Therapy is a 1987 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.8.