Mumford (R, 1999)

After moving to the small town of Mumford, psychologist Dr. Mumford (Loren Dean) becomes very popular after just a few months, despite his unconventional methods of treatment. But he is a good listener, he's insightful, and his patients like him. Most important, he really helps them. Among his patients are a pharmacist who lives in a world of pulp-fiction fantasies; a wealthy woman who's a compulsive shopper; a teen who wants to look like a fashion model; a beautiful young woman (Hope Davis) with chronic fatigue syndrome, and a lonely high-tech billionaire named Skip (Jason Lee). To Mumford, it's clear that they all have the same problem -- a need to connect to another person, and a fear that they are not worthy. And Mumford has the same problem, too. He had come to Mumford (the name and the town) to escape the mistakes of his past. When he finds a real friend in Skip, he begins to finally reveal his past. And when he falls in love with one of his patients, he realizes that he has to tell everyone the truth and be accountable for his past mistakes.

MUMFORD is a cleverly updated version of a 1930s movie staple -- a genial comedy with eccentric but endearing characters and a leading man who is not what he pretends to be. Writer/director Lawrence Kasden brings his Big Chill ability to create a believable world with many interesting and engaging characters struggling with issues of intimacy and risk.

Doctor Mumford says that his hope for his pharmacist patient is to make him comfortable enough to star in his own fantasies. In a way, that is what he does for all of his patients, even himself, only to find that they can then move on to the real thing.

Studio: Touchstone Pictures
Director: Lawrence Kasdan
Cast: Hope Davis, Jason Lee, Loren Dean
Genre: Drama
Run time: 112 minutes
Theatrical release: September 24, 1999
DVD release: April 18, 2000
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: sex-related images, language and drug content