Beyond Therapy

What's odd about "Beyond Therapy," other than the fact that it may be one of Robert Altman's worst films, is that it has so many elements of what makes a great Altman film. Filled with whimsy, multi-tiered sets he shoots the hell out of, and a general discontent for a straightforward narrative; this 1987 critical and financial flop still remains curious.

So, why doesn't it work? As a cohesive story, the film takes off in fits and starts, while the characters override each other with their own brand of comedy. It feels like an improv performance gone wrong. Although the new Blu-ray from Scorpion Releasing looks and sounds terrific, this should only be picked up by Altman diehards.

Adapted from a 1981 play of the same name by Christopher Durang, "Beyond Therapy" tracks a group of people that let their own anxieties ruin their lives. Prudence (Julie Hagerty), an uptight writer for People magazine and meets Bruce (Jeff Goldblum), a manic bisexual who still lives with his former partner. The duo must contend with their respective therapists as they seek a stable romantic relationship. Stuart (Tom Conti), Prudence's therapist, is also her ex-lover and is obsessed with trying to get back into her pants. Charlotte (Glenda Jackson), Bruce's therapist, is crazier than most of her patients. Will the two lovelorn maniacs successfully navigate their growing love for each other, or will their crazy lives ruin them?

As soon as the credits roll, the viewer is plunged into auditory chaos. Prudence fumbles up the stairs from a subway platform, gets her copy of New York Magazine robbed, and then goes directly into a French restaurant to meet up with Bruce. The duo arrived during the downtime between lunch and dinner, so the restaurant and their staff are hustling around before the dinner rush comes in. The snooty waiters and waitresses paying no mind to Prudence and Bruce as they beg for service and food. Altman's weakness for the asides and peculiarities of background action takes over the foreground here and gives the audience no depth or character to chew on. It's all just noise.

"Beyond Therapy" never finds its rhythm, partly because it switches to a different story as soon as it finds a groove. For Altman, who usually revels in chaos and is able to bring a sort of unity to it, it's clear that there are too many pieces that don't interlock here. Special features include:

� Theatrical trailer

"Beyond Therapy"
Scorpion Releasing
$29.95
https://www.kinolorber.com/product/beyond-therapy-blu-ray