Review of Mumford (1999) by Robert C — 22 Sep 2009

From writer/director Lawrence Kasdan, whose success include writing The Empire Strikes Back and Raiders of the Lost Ark, and also directing films such as Body Heat, The Big Chill, Grand Canyon and French Kiss, creates this amusing little ensemble piece which was forgotten about upon it's original release, but it deserved more recognition.

Set in the sleepy town of Mumford, it follows a psychologist called Dr. Micky Mumford (Loren Dean) who has recently moved to the town. He becomes quite popular amongst the townspeople, befriending local modem billionaire Skip Skipperton (Jason Lee) and falling for one of his patients Sofie Crisp (Hope Davis).

However, he has a hidden past, he used to be an IRS investigator who was addicted to cocaine. After an investigation goes wrong, he hits rock bottom, rehabilitated himself with some monks, and that's how he ended up in the town of Mumford, plus he's had no training at all in psychology, but he does his job well, and he gets something out of it.

It's an amusingly quirky little comedy-drama, it's a little unbelievable with how he got away with it, but as the film suggests, everyone has their secrets. It's got a good script with some good quirky characters, performed by a brilliant supporting cast including Zooey Deschanel, Ted Danson, Alfre Woodard, David Paymer and Martin Short!! Well worth a look.