Mumford
Lawrence Kasdan wrote and directed this comedy about a young psychologist named Mumford (Loren Dean), who arrives in a small town and sets up a practice. Mumford's style is short on analytic mumbo-jumbo and long on practical advice, and he soon finds that he has a long list of satisfied clients in his new home town, including many of the city's most prominent citizens. Mumford's advice also helps love bloom among the city's single residents. However, the city already had a psychologist, Ernest Delbanco (David Paymer), who is quickly losing business to Mumford. So Ernest starts asking questions: who is this Mumford, and just what are his qualifications? Mumford's supporting cast includes Ted Danson, Martin Short, Alfre Woodard, Hope Davis, Jason Lee, and Pruitt Taylor Vince.
Director: Lawrence Kasdan
Starring: Loren Dean, Hope Davis, Jason Lee, Alfre Woodard, Mary McDonnell
So wonderfully odd, even spiritual, that audiences won't be able to do anything but smile.
Turns the tricks of psychology into duplicitous high play.
A feeling movie, a mood movie, an evocation of the kind of interaction we sometimes hunger for.
A crowd-pleasing ensemble piece, whose story goes exactly where you want it to.
The performances are disarming and Mumford is the kind of comedy that grows on you if you give it a chance.
Lawrence Kasdan
San Sebastián International Film Festival (1999)
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