In the film Group Therapy, we see a set being built before our very eyes as a small audience starts to gather. Neil Patrick Harris leads a small group of comedians inside the small, intimate space and the crowd welcomes their arrival with applause. With everyone in their seats and the commotion dying down, the group therapy session can begin.
Directed by Neil Berkeley, Group Therapy charters the waters of mental health and well-being with six comedians: Mike Birbiglia, Nicole Byer, Gary Gulman, London Hughes, Tig Notaro, and Atsuko Okatsuka. The film takes a light-hearted look at a serious subject matter but in such a way that laughter is not only welcome but preferred. Every comedian takes their turn bravely sharing the intricate connections between their professional and mental health journeys. The film navigates the subject via candid group dialogues, personal confessions, and archival stand-up footage.
Founded by Kevin Hart, Hartbeat is the global, multiplatform media company behind the film. You’ve probably heard the saying, “Laugh to keep from crying.” That statement holds weight, giving even more credence as to why a handful of comedians are the perfect subjects for this type of experiment.
You don’t have to go back far to remember a day when mental health wasn’t the “phrase of the day” so to speak. Just 10 years ago, Robin Williams committed suicide, shocking fans and fellow comedians everywhere. After his death, it was noted that he was suffering from Lewy body Dementia (LBD), a progressive form of Dementia. It begs the question, “How many more are suffering in silence?”
Comedians are known for addressing a wide variety of topics, both easily digestible and downright difficult. In Group Therapy, these comedians address issues that have affected their day-to-day existence and their physical and mental health. One of the more painful stories to hear was that of Tig Notaro. After her mother passed away, she was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer. She made headlines when she announced the diagnosis during a performance, using comedy as a type of coping mechanism. If that wasn’t difficult enough, she details how her attempts to get pregnant were unsuccessful. Caring for ill family members, racism, and depression, were common topics during this eye-opening round table. Delivered in a way that only a comedian could, Group Therapy conveys a message that whatever you’re feeling is ok and valid. It serves as a rallying cry to the masses that the most important thing in anyone’s life is their health.
Screening Schedule
June 7th at 2:15 PM ET at AMC-01 @ 890 Broadway
June 7th at 2:45 PM ET at Village East Cinemas-03
June 13th at 8:15 PM ET at AMC-01 @ 890 Broadway
Group Therapy gets a 7.5 out of 10. It starts extremely slow, which might deter folks who go into this blind without knowing the premise or the comedians. It takes a while for the film to gain traction (because it feels like an actual therapy session) and really grab the viewer’s attention. Once it finally does, you’ll want to hear more. Having Neil Patrick Harris as a moderator or faux therapist was an interesting choice. I guess if he can be a doctor at 14 he can do anything.
Group Therapy made its world premiere last night, June 6, at the OKX Theater at BMCC TPAC.
-Jon Jones
Photos: Courtesy of Tribeca Festival