 | |
List Price: $14.98 | | Label: MGM (Video & DVD)
Salesrank: 60813
Released: April 1, 2003 |
| Our Price: $2.78 |
| Used Price: $2.74 |
|
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
|
Editorial Review:
Dan Aykroyd (Ghostbusters) is running the asylumand ruling the airwavesas a mental patient turned talk-radio shrink in this comedy of loony proportions co-starring Charles Grodin, Donna Dixon, Walter Matthau and Chevy Chase. When asylum inmate John Burns (Aykroyd) intercepts a call to his psychiatrist, he brashly impersonates the good doctor. And he does such a good job that he's given an offer to fill in for a stressed-out Beverly Hills celebrity psychologist (Grodin) as the host of a call-in radio advice show. Escaping the hospital, Burns is soon gleefully crossing swords with his predecessor's beautiful colleague (Dixon), crossing paths with a crafty crackpot (Matthau) andcrossing the line into complete hilarity as his offbeat psychobabble takes ultra-trendy La-La Land by storm!
The Couch Trip Reviews:
An inmate who ran the asylum 
2009-06-19 - In THE COUCH TRIP, a con-artist imprisoned at a Chicago psychiatric facility flim-flams his way out of jail, onto a radio talk show and into a small fortune.
Career felon John Burns (Aykroyd) has avoided "hard time" by feigning mental illness. The easy ride will soon be over though, for Dr. Lawrence Baird (Clennon) plans to certify Burns as sane and ship him back to the "pen." In Baird's absence, Burns takes a phone call in the shrink's office. It's from George Maitlin, a successful Beverly Hills psychiatrist and talk show host. Maitlin, who's much in need of a sabbatical, offers a man he believes to be Baird an opportunity to sub for him on the radio show, handle his practice for a few months and earn a large sum of cash.
Burns orchestrates an escape from the looney bin. Disguised as Dr. Baird, he heads to California where he immediately encounters Donald Becker (Matthau), a fellow con artist pretending to be a street preacher. Becker easily "reads" Burns and he blackmails his way into the sweet deal. Meanwhile, Drs. Maitlin and Baird accidentally meet at a European psychiatric seminar. Together, they fly home to find out who has usurped Baird's identity and taken (under false pretenses) Maitlin's $200,000.
Also recommended:
Charles Grodin co-stars in the charming fantasy HEART AND SOULS (1993) as one of four guardian angels. They've been cosmically attached to young businessman Thomas (Robert Downey Jr.) ever since his 1959 birth and their simultaneous deaths in a bus crash. Thomas is the key to their escape from Earth, so his angels make themselves visible to him.
Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 viewer poll rating found at a film resource website.
(5.2) The Couch Trip (1988) - Dan Akyroyd/Walter Matthau/Charles Grodin/Donna Dixon/David Clennon/Mary Gross/Victoria Jackson (uncredited: Chevy Chase)
Doctor Baird? 
2008-01-01 - This is a funny movie that had me chuckling along with it most of the way. Walter Matheau seemed a little superfluous until the end of the movie however (hard to believe as a crazy man). Grodin was dry, wry and hilarious - until he went over the top in the end. And Dan Akroyd did a great job. One of his best I'd have to say. A fun little movie that entertains.
will tickle your funny bone 
2007-06-25 - Was never a fan of Sat. Night Live & never followed Dan A.'s career, etc., but here, in this comedy flick, the guy is just about perfect in the role and as hilarious as they come. What I love about his take on the part is that he plays it straight, poker-faced all the way--and never, ever DELIBERATELY goes for laughs--and it had me in stitches the entire time.
Re: supporting cast: from the gorgeous Donna Dixon to the always solid Walter Mathau (and everyone else in this terrific comedy) give Mr. Aykroyd the support he needs.
A Great Comedy
2007-05-21 - This movie is hysterical. A great storyline performed so well by Dan Aykroyd.
What scrooge could give this flick less than 4 stars??
2004-08-16 - It's an eighties gem, so overlooked and STILL FUNNY. I have been waiting for this DVD for years now (along with "Club Paradise" and "Ice Pirates" -still waiting 08/04).
It is hysterical in some parts, and it will stand the test of time. Admittedly, I loved this movie when I saw it (in the 80's), and am still biased. But there are at least 10 belly laugh scenes, all priceless and unique. Tons of things that Akroyd never did "in every other 80's flick" as one reviewer suggested. And yes, it is not a slickly, year 2000+ produced movie that will entrance you for every moment, there is a slow scene or two, but still so worth a viewing. If you missed it then, now's your chance. I put my personal garauntee that you will laugh at least five times really hard (unless you are under age 18). Enjoy
