Un divan à New York (1996)

Director:

Chantal Akerman

Writers:

Chantal Akerman (writer)
Jean-Louis Benoît (writer)

Release Date:

21 February 1996 (Belgium)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

A Man... A Woman... A Dog... The perfect combination for romance...

Plot:

Dr. Henry Harriston is a successful psychoanalyst in New York City. When he is near a nervous breakdown...

Plot Keywords:

New York | France | Psychoanalyst | Bohemian | Transference

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Juliette Binoche	...	Beatrice Saulnier
William Hurt	...	Henry Harriston
Stephanie Buttle	...	Anne
Barbara Garrick	...	Lizbeth Honeywell
Paul Guilfoyle	...	Dennis
Richard Jenkins	...	Campton
Kent Broadhurst	...	Tim
Matthew Burton	...	Wood
Henry Bean	...	Stein
Bernard Breuse	...	Jerôme
Adam LeFevre	...	Restaurant Patron
Boris Leskin	...	Cab Driver #1
Tiffany Fraser	...	Julie (as Tiffany Frazer)
Wendy Way	...	Employee at Airport
Jerry Dean	...	Cab Driver #2

Also Known As:

A Couch in New York (USA)

MPAA:

Rated R for some language.

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

South Korea:15 | Finland:S | Argentina:Atp | Chile:TE | Germany:6 (w) | Netherlands:12 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Babelsberg, Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany

Company:

Babelsberg Film

Juliette Bincoche is a delight

Dr. Henry Harriston, a psychoanalyst, is so sick of his patients he puts an ad in the Herald-Tribune asking to swap his New York apartment for one in Paris. Beatrice, who answers the ad because her friend Anne lives in New York, seems to get the better part of the deal. Dr. Harriston has a fabulous apartment and Beatrice's building is noisy and falling apart. Then Dr. Harriston's patients start showing up at his place. Also, Dr. Harriston's dog Edgard is lethargic and has intestinal problems. Meanwhile, Beatrice has a number of men after her, mostly borderline insane.

Juliette Binoche is pretty and so charming, and she really shows genuine concern for Dr. Harriston's patients--one in particular. Richard Jenkins does something unique and unexpected as one of the patients. And William Hurt eventually does show his talent as well. Most of the leading actors gave good performances.

The first half was quite funny, but the second half leaned more toward drama. Though there were funny moments, such as when Dr. Harriston tried to carry on a conversation with his friend Dennis while Dennis was taking an order at a restaurant.

The ending was very sweet. Overall, this film was worth seeing.