First Hit: Although a bit tedious, it is a watchable film with some good acting and interplay.
Kevin Spacey plays Henry Carter a psychologist who has a hit book out about how to be happy. But he is anything but happy.
From the moment the film opens we know something is really wrong with Carter. He’s stoned all the time. He is seen sleeping everywhere but on his bed. He sleeps on the floor, on a pool deck chair, on the couch and most anywhere but on his bed. He pays passing attention to his dog and barely a bit more to his patients.
He occasionally says something of wisdom to his patients but mostly spends his time thinking about his next hit on a joint. There is a great intervention scene where his family, patients and friends try to get him into a abuse program and he just blows them off.
His father who is also a psychologist decides to send Carter a young girl for pro-bono therapy. Jemma is a young girl who is missing school to go see films and is missing her mother. Carter finds out her mother committed suicide which is what his wife did. At this moment Carter and Jemma begin to heal.
Spacey is perfect as the arrogant, intelligent, and personally lost “psychologist for the stars”. His patients represent Hollywood people with Hollywood type problems which are amusing to watch. Keke Palmer plays the girl and drew me in to watch her. She has a strong presence. Saffron Burrows plays a centered Kate Amberson the wife of a country/rock star who is fully narcissistic.
Overall: This is an OK film, not great, but I found myself interested in how it would turn out.