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Dan Aykroyd, Walter Matthau, Charles Grodin, David Clennon, Donna Dixon ... see more see more... , Richard Romanus , Mary Gross , Arye Gross , Victoria Jackson , Chevy Chase , Jan Cobler , Kenneth Danziger , Michael De Lorenzo , Gloria Dorson , Michael Ensign , J.E. Freeman , Rick Garcia , Michael Gregory , Robert Hirschfeld , Mickey Jones , John D. LeMay , Charles Levin , John Mahon , Carol Mansell , Donna Mitchell , Corey Rand , Kimmy Robertson , Johnny Sinclair , Don Stark , Scott Thomson , David Wohl , Jerry Belson , Jonathan Emerson , Tino Insana , Ralph Adano , Beverly Archer , Adrian Aron , Susann Benn , June Claman , Robert M. Dawson , Linda Rae Favila , David Grant Hayward , Neal Kaz , Benbow Ritchie , Jack Ritchie , Tony Rolon , Kevin Rooney , Jean Sterling , Charles Sweigart , Duane Tucker , Scott Weintraub , Myrna White , Michael DeLorenzo

Michael Ritchie's The Couch Trip follows a long line of Hollywood films (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The Disorderly Orderly) in which the psychos are seen as saner than the psychiatrists. Charles... read more read more... Grodin plays Dr. George Maitlin, a pompous radio self-help guru, who is having his own personal mental breakdown. Maitlin's lawyer puts in a call to a Cicero, IL, mental facility and the telephone is answered by schizophrenic mental patient John Burns (Dan Aykroyd). Thinking Burns is a crony of Maitlin, Burns is offered the job of replacing Maitlin during his recovery. Of course, Burns accepts the job. Immediately jetted to Los Angeles, Burns meets panhandler Donald Becker (Walter Matthau) at the airport. While wearing the garb of a priest, Becker sounds off against the madness of societal conventions; Burns takes to him immediately and they become fast friends. When Burns assumes command of the airwaves in Maitlin's place, his words of wisdom are so obvious and commonsensical that he is an overnight sensation. Meanwhile, in London, where Maitlin is convalescing, he gets wind of Burns' success. With renewed vigor and outrage, Maitlin leaves his recovery room and hops on a plane back to Los Angeles in an effort to recover his radio show. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Flixster Users

39% liked it

2,654 ratings

Critics

43% liked it

7 critics

R, 1 hr. 38 min.

Directed by: Michael Ritchie

Release Date: January 15, 1988

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DVD Release Date: April 1, 2003

Stats: 86 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (86)

  • phubbs1
    August 9, 2011
    phubbs1
    Another top Aykroyd comedy (does he ever make abad one?) alongside Grodin with his usual extreme character portrayal and Walter Matthau in a slightly weaker role than his partners.

    88 was a good year for Aykroyd with 'The Great Outdoors' and this, two good films but this one cle... read morearly being the best, if not as well known, with Aykroyd in scorching form as a smart ass convict getting himself to a loony bin and then a top flight job as a doctor on the radio.

    Sounds average but the way in which Aykroyd performs his role is such a joy to watch with his usual quick fire dialog that he can unleash at any given moment as he has shown in many of his films. The whole film is basically an anarchic comedy with the main character being a total fraud, yet a lovable roguish fraud that you just wanna see win :)

    Much better than so many modern films due to Aykroyd coming across as quite an intelligent person who genuinely knows his stuff instead of just memorising lines, its also nice to see a comedian in film who can make you laugh with his wit and use of knowledge instead of just making stupid faces and acting like a complete moron Mr Carrey.
  • ajv2688
    February 26, 2011
    ajv2688
    A great group of comedians makes for a very funny movie. The story is funny too. I highly recommend this fun comedy.
  • YosemiteSamFan
    July 31, 2007
    YosemiteSamFan
    Dan Aykroyd has escaped from a mental hospital and becomes a great radio talk show pyscho-analyst. It's an okay movie, but doesn't have an abundance of funny scenes. Hardly classic. The memorable climax has them climbing the Hollywood sign.
  • fb25827189
    May 20, 2008
    fb25827189
    Dan Aykroyd is always funny, and this movie even though it has some flaws is no exception, the one thing about this movie was the storyline which is it's biggest flaw, they have the relationship between Aykroyd and Walter Matthau's character which is really non-existent, then you... read more have the main story line about a mental patient impersonating a radio psychologist. Just to little, if the movie had more depth then this would be a great comedy, but it is only good mostly because of Aykroyd and Matthau, and a little Charles Grodin never hurt anyone.
  • phaedrus99
    February 5, 2011
    phaedrus99
    finally got around to seeing this one, must have been on my 'have to watch this someday' list for over 20 years ... glad I did!
  • The80sExpert
    May 15, 2010
    The80sExpert
    It is hilarious how Aykroyd, as a patient turns the tables on his psychiatrist, impersonating him, and making him a more popular guy than ever. Walter Matthau's character is really funny too. Of course Grodin is mad about everything as usual, but still adds to the hilarity. I ... read morereally enjoyed seeing this on TV last night! Loved the ending.

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Critic Reviews

Scott Weinberg
April 2, 2005
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

Fitfully amusing ensemble farce.

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
August 28, 2004
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

The Couch Trip is a knee-slapping comedy. Full Review

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
January 1, 2000
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 24, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Jonathan R. Perry
May 19, 2005
Jonathan R. Perry, Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas)

No review available.

Brian J. Arthurs
December 18, 2003
Brian J. Arthurs, Beach Reporter (Southern California)

No review available.

Rebecca Murray
October 1, 2003
Rebecca Murray, About.com

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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    • John Burns: What are those?
    • Donald Becker: Swans.
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