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Review - In Treatment

Each year, about 4 percent of the Americans are said to be ‘in treatment.’ America is the homeland for (psycho)therapies and it is deeply ingrained in American culture. Either you have ever been in therapy, known someone in therapy, or just really like the star-studded cast featuring Gabriel Byrne and Dianne Wiest, "In Treatment" gives an interesting insights on psychotherapies.

Adapted from a popular Israeli TV show titled Be ‘Tipul, In Treatment follows Paul Weston, a psychotherapist played by Gabriel Byrne. Each night of the week, Paul keeps regular appointments with the same patients, except for Fridays, when he goes to see Dr. Gina Toll played by Dianne Wiest. The half-hour drama involves more talking than one might expect from a real therapy. Patients stand up and wander around the room a bit, as if they were not so much of patients seeking help, but as actors reciting monologues for an audition. The dialogue does not leave a lasting impression. At times the setting where a couple people are sitting in a room talking for half an hour becomes too stagey, and potentially boring. Also the level of antagonism each patient brings to Dr.Weston not only strains the credibility of the show but also the dramatic pitch.

In attempt to add some excitement, In Treatment offers occasional spurts of in-session violence or some intense confessions. Laura, played by Melissa George, chokes up talking about how she had dreamt of Weston confessing his undying love for her and beginning their future together. The lurid confession of Laura is grating and perverted rather than being seductive to the extent that makes the viewer wiggle uncomfortably in their seats.

Going back to the issue of believability, if Weston were a real psychologist, he would be in a great danger of losing his license because he speaks in over-sentimental terms, which could be viewed as malpractice. Part of this can be blamed on the character who is truly devoted to his clients yet is depressed, egotistical and whiny. Byrne does on exceptional job at utilizing his bushy eyebrows and the droopy eyes to their best advantage, making Paul a man seeking for an answer to his failings even if he cannot quite admit it.

Oscar award winning actress, Diane Wiest, with relatively few lines, radiates the wisdom and bewilderment of a retired woman. With her easy laugh and mercilessly direct questions, she, once again, becomes a therapist and a mentor whom Weston broke with years ago. Her accent, the China-collared shirt, tranquil voice, and insightful lines like ‘there’s a sadness in your voice when you talk about Kate,’ she resembles a Buddhist monk or Mother Nature.

Even with the interesting concept and some exceptional performance by Byrne and Wiest, the inconsistent level of acting of different characters makes the show seem like an amateur theatrical experiment. Once again, the session ends, but whether it was worth the time and the money invested – by both viewers and the producers – remains questionable.