The Couch Trip

The Couch Trip is a 1988 American comedy film directed by Michael Ritchie, and written by Steven Kampmann, William Porter, Sean Stein, and Walter Bernstein. The film stars Dan Aykroyd, Charles Grodin, Donna Dixon, Richard Romanus, David Clennon, Arye Gross, and Walter Matthau. Based on the 1971 novel, The Couch Trip, by Ken Kolb, the film follows John Burns (Aykroyd), a misfit patient at a Chicago mental facility who escapes confinement by impersonating his doctor. John takes a job in Beverly Hills as a therapist and radio host, where his unconventional style quickly gains popularity. Along the way, he develops a romantic interest in fellow therapist Dr. Laura Rollins (Dixon) and forms an unlikely bond with Donald Becker (Mathau), a kleptomaniac ex-priest and fellow misfit.

The Couch Trip failed to recoup its budget at the box office during its theatrical release, and received a generally negative critical response.