Product Details

• Actors: Juliette Binoche, William Hurt, Stephanie Buttle, Barbara Garrick, Paul Guilfoyle (II)
• Directors: Chantal Akerman
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Language: English, French
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Bmg Video Label
• VHS Release Date: January 27, 1998
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 630444947X
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #55,444 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
When Dr. Henry Harriston (William Hurt) makes the uncharacteristically spontaneous decision to swap apartments with someone in Paris, he opens his life up to the possibility of new things. The woman who answers his ad is Beatrice Saulnier (Juliette Binoche), a dancer looking for respite from an onslaught of lovesick admirers. In New York, Beatrice inadvertently finds herself analyzing Henry's patients through a series of misunderstandings on their part that she is his replacement during his vacation. With help from her friend-secretary Anne (Stephanie Buttle), she continues Henry's practice and brings light and happiness to his patients, until Henry himself--who has returned early to New York--shows up and, his curiosity piqued by what seems to be going on, gains access to Beatrice as John Wire, a supposed patient of himself. What follows, and how it ends, makes for perhaps the most charming romantic comedy to come along in ages, and rivals the great Shop Around the Corner, Ernst Lubitsch's 1940 film. Binoche is impossibly charming, Hurt creates a wondrously believable suppressed psychoanalyst reborn through love, and Chantal Akerman as director pulls it all together with deft skill. --James McGrath

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Big Apple Meets....."La Binoche" ...For Delightful Fun, January 23, 2004

By	L. Shirley "Laurie's Boomer Views" (fountain valley, ca United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

This review is from: A Couch in New York (DVD)

This review refers to the DVD(Fox Lorber) edition of "A Couch In New York"....

Dr. Henry Harriston(William Hurt) of Manhattan needs a break from his very dependent patients.He's an esteemed Psychoanalyst,works out of his upscale apartment,is compulsively neat, and needs a little change from his hum drum exsistence. Beatrice Saulnier(Juliette Binoche) of Paris could use a bit of a break herself.She's a beautiful dancer,has a long line of admirers who are constantly phoning or banging on the door of her little(no so upscale) loft, is a bit of a slob, and needs some quiet time away from her chaotic life. The Dr. puts an add in the Paris newspaper looking for someone to swap apartments for a while and Voila! the fun begins....

While Henry looses his patience in Paris, Beatrice takes on his patients in New York. But uh-oh..Henry can't take it anymore and decides to beat a retreat home. He is mistaken for one of the patients and has grand time being analyzed by La Binoche.

The film is an engaging, feel good romantic comedy, that will certianly leave you smiling.Mistaken identities lead to some very funny situations as the nuertoic patients now become dependent on Beatrice, and Beatrice tries to cure Henry.

Binoche as always, is enchanting, and Hurt plays it perfectly in this case of opposites attracting. The supporting cast including Richard Jenkins, Paul Guilfoyle, Bernard Breuse and Barbara Garrick are marvelous as patients, friends and jilted lovers of these two.All though there were times where it seemed to move just a little slow,this was a very sweet,light and enjoyable film that kept me smiling throughout.I loved the European flavor, scenery, and the music.

The DVD is a nice presentation in widescreen,sounds great in stereo.The film is in both English and French and has subtitles only during the French dialouge.There is no option for subtitles throughout the film for those that may need them though. There are filmographies of several of the stars and the Director Chantel Akerman, and also a trailer.

I would recommend this to fans of Juliette Binoche,french films, and anyone who loves a good romantic comedy along the lines of something like "Sabrina".

enjoy...Laurie

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A delightful romantic comedy - very feelgood, October 6, 2000

By	Nathan Peles "take5withnat" (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Couch in New York (DVD)

William Hurt and Juliette Binoche make a very likeable (thought unexpected) duo in this fun, escapist romantic comedy.
The premise for the story is quite far-fetched - a New York psychiatrist (William Hurt) does an "apartment swap" with a Parisian dancer (Juliette Binoche.) Neither gets what they expected, and soon their paths cross in a series of quirky encouters which lead to romance.
Both actors are very likeable in this film, with Juliette Binoche dispaying here usual "zest for life" style which is very endearing - quite reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn.
The dialogue throughout the file is a mix of English and French, which gives it a very enjoyable European/continental flavour - something cosmopolitan viewers will like. It's a movie that is much more "French" than "American" in style - something you'll either love or won't, depending on your personal taste.
If you enjoyed "The Accidental Tourist" or "Forget Paris" you will most certainly find this refreshing and relaxed romantic comedy a pleasure to watch.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you're in love with ROMANCE this if for YOU., April 30, 2000

By	G. Fredette "G" (Signal Hill, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What a wonderful movie experience this was. Some say the plot is implausible. Maybe so but this is a MOVIE... Let go of your analytical mind and just sit back and be romanced for a change.

There are some very funny moments as Julliette Binoche takes on William Hurts psyciatric practice in order to make money to spend while in New York.

Get some bon bons and a glass of your favorite wine and indulge.