The Couch Trip (1988)

43% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
39% of users liked it
(2,654 ratings)

Michael Ritchie's The Couch Trip follows a long line of Hollywood films (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The Disorderly Orderly) in which the psychos are seen as saner than the psychiatrists. Charles Grodin plays Dr. George Maitlin, a pompous radio self-help guru, who is having his own personal… More Michael Ritchie's The Couch Trip follows a long line of Hollywood films (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The Disorderly Orderly) in which the psychos are seen as saner than the psychiatrists. Charles Grodin plays Dr. George Maitlin, a pompous radio self-help guru, who is having his own personal mental breakdown. Maitlin's lawyer puts in a call to a Cicero, IL, mental facility and the telephone is answered by schizophrenic mental patient John Burns (Dan Aykroyd). Thinking Burns is a crony of Maitlin, Burns is offered the job of replacing Maitlin during his recovery. Of course, Burns accepts the job. Immediately jetted to Los Angeles, Burns meets panhandler Donald Becker (Walter Matthau) at the airport. While wearing the garb of a priest, Becker sounds off against the madness of societal conventions; Burns takes to him immediately and they become fast friends. When Burns assumes command of the airwaves in Maitlin's place, his words of wisdom are so obvious and commonsensical that he is an overnight sensation. Meanwhile, in London, where Maitlin is convalescing, he gets wind of Burns' success. With renewed vigor and outrage, Maitlin leaves his recovery room and hops on a plane back to Los Angeles in an effort to recover his radio show. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Michael Ritchie
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 15, 1988 Wide
On DVD: Apr 1, 2003

Critic Reviews

Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Fitfully amusing ensemble farce.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
The Couch Trip is a knee-slapping comedy.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Phil H

Another top Aykroyd comedy (does he ever make abad one?) alongside Grodin with his usual extreme character portrayal and Walter Matthau in a slightly weaker role than his partners. 88 was a good year for Aykroyd with 'The Great Outdoors' and this, two good films but this… More
Another top Aykroyd comedy (does he ever make abad one?) alongside Grodin with his usual extreme character portrayal and Walter Matthau in a slightly weaker role than his partners. 88 was a good year for Aykroyd with 'The Great Outdoors' and this, two good films but this one clearly being the best, if not as well known, with Aykroyd in scorching form as a smart ass convict getting himself to a loony bin and then a top flight job as a doctor on the radio. Sounds average but the way in which Aykroyd performs his role is such a joy to watch with his usual quick fire dialog that he can unleash at any given moment as he has shown in many of his films. The whole film is basically an anarchic comedy with the main character being a total fraud, yet a lovable roguish fraud that you just wanna see win :) Much better than so many modern films due to Aykroyd coming across as quite an intelligent person who genuinely knows his stuff instead of just memorising lines, its also nice to see a comedian in film who can make you laugh with his wit and use of knowledge instead of just making stupid faces and acting like a complete moron Mr Carrey.
AJ V

A great group of comedians makes for a very funny movie. The story is funny too. I highly recommend this fun comedy.
Lafe F

Dan Aykroyd has escaped from a mental hospital and becomes a great radio talk show pyscho-analyst. It's an okay movie, but doesn't have an abundance of funny scenes. Hardly classic. The memorable climax has them climbing the Hollywood sign.
Jason R

Dan Aykroyd is always funny, and this movie even though it has some flaws is no exception, the one thing about this movie was the storyline which is it's biggest flaw, they have the relationship between Aykroyd and Walter Matthau's character which is really non-existent,… More
Dan Aykroyd is always funny, and this movie even though it has some flaws is no exception, the one thing about this movie was the storyline which is it's biggest flaw, they have the relationship between Aykroyd and Walter Matthau's character which is really non-existent, then you have the main story line about a mental patient impersonating a radio psychologist. Just to little, if the movie had more depth then this would be a great comedy, but it is only good mostly because of Aykroyd and Matthau, and a little Charles Grodin never hurt anyone.

Cast

            Dan Aykroyd as John Burns

            Walter Matthau as Donald Becker

            Charles Grodin as Dr. George Maitlin

            David Clennon as Lawrence Baird

            Donna Dixon as Dr. Laura Rollins

            Richard Romanus as Harvey Michaels

            Mary Gross as Vera Maitlin

            Arye Gross as Perry Kovin

            Victoria Jackson as Robin

            Chevy Chase as Condom Father

            Jan Cobler as Woman at Party

            Kenneth Danziger as Clerk in London

            Michael De Lorenzo as Lopez

            Gloria Dorson as Ida V.O.

            Michael Ensign as Hendricks

            J.E. Freeman as Unger

            Rick Garcia as Bellperson

            Michael Gregory as Security at Riviera

            Robert Hirschfeld as Night Watchman

            Mickey Jones as Watkins

            John D. LeMay as Dr. Smet's Resident

            Charles Levin as TV Reporter

            John Mahon as Police Captain

            Carol Mansell as Mrs. Blair

            Donna Mitchell as Stewardess

            Corey Rand as Airline Clerk

            Kimmy Robertson
            
            Johnny Sinclair as Clerk in London

            Don Stark as Peterson

            Scott Thomson as Klevin

            David Wohl as Dr. Smet

            Jerry Belson as Yuri V.O.

            Jonathan Emerson as Hendrick's Assistant

            Tino Insana as Jail Guard

            Ralph Adano as Person at Party

            Beverly Archer as Mrs. Guber

            Adrian Aron as Woman at Party

            Susann Benn
            
            June Claman as Lady at Riviera

            Robert M. Dawson as Person at Party

            Linda Rae Favila as Maitlin's Secretary

            David Grant Hayward as Waiter Loudon

            Neal Kaz as Cop in Maitlin's Office

            Benbow Ritchie as Man at Baseball Game

            Jack Ritchie as Man at Baseball Game

            Tony Rolon as Bellperson

            Kevin Rooney as Cop at Hollywood Sign

            Jean Sterling as Woman at Baseball Game

            Charles Sweigart as Cop

            Duane Tucker as Guard in Squad Car

            Scott Weintraub as Continental Agent

            Myrna White as Policewoman

            Michael DeLorenzo
            
See full cast