debbieesther

I recorded all but one of the 6 episodes of this mini-series and I could just kick myself for not having them all! It's the hilariously funny, and touchingly poignant story of a 40-something lawyer, Dan Carver, attempting to come to terms with his role as husband, father, son and quite simply as a man, with the aid of analysis. It is in fact, the story of the everyman with the lid blown off but treated in a very funny, tasteful manner.

Billy Crystal wrote, along with Fred Barron, as well as produced this mini-series and the viewer gets the idea that it's perhaps Crystal himself who is asking the questions and seeking the answers to 'what does it all mean?' (Crystal's own fetching daughter Jennifer even plays Dan's teenage daughter.) Of the major roles, the formidable Michael McKean plays Dan, Linda Kelsey plays his patient, intelligent wife, a wife any man would cut his arm off to have in fact, and Elliott Gould, in one of his finest roles, is Dan's analyst. It's perfect casting all around, especially Gould, who is totally believable as the wise, affable shrink that even the least forthcoming patient could bare their soul to. If you're an Elliott Gould fan, (and I'm an ENORMOUS fan), you'll savor his laid-back charm and thespian acumen. But you're left wanting more, to see what makes the analyst tick, to know what he's thinking, to see how his life is outside his comfortable office.

The show is innovative and daring in its honesty and deals primarily with sensitive family issues, death and sex. Parents may want to keep those certain episodes from younger viewers.

Billy Crystal again proves why he is an entertainment institution and one can only wish he had made many more 'Sessions' than just six!

After having just seen "Lord of the Rings", my judgement was clouded in the wake of the awesomeness of the special effects of the Tolkien story. I couldn't help but compare the two, but Harry Potter was fun, even though I found the young actor VERY wooden. Why did the director tolerate the soulless smiling and lifeless eyes from young Daniel? It's as if they were looking for that exact factor in the title role. He seemed like he was totally intimidated by the project he was involved with. He started to warm up toward the end, and unlike most films, Harry Potter got better as it rolled along. The most touching scene was the one where Harry sees his parents in the mirror and the chess game was mind-blowing. All the other actors were terrific, and I love the great English actors on hand, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, and my favorite of all time Alan Rickman!!

See the film but make sure to read the book first!

And in no particular order;

No. 1 - Elliott Gould's comic timing

No. 2 - Elliott Gould's wardrobe

No. 3 - Elliott Gould's screen presence

No. 4 - Elliott Gould's specs

No. 5 - Elliott Gould's jewelry

No. 6 - Elliott Gould's talent

No. 7 - Elliott Gould's voice

No. 8 - Elliott Gould's best role in recent memory

No. 9 - Elliott Gould's chest hair

and No. 10 - because Elliott Gould's wonderful, period.

No. 11 - oh yeah, I almost forgot, go see it for the rest of the cast too.