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Movies / Upcoming / Empathy
Empathy

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Empathy (2004)

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Reviews Counted:14

Fresh:10

Rotten:4

Average Rating:6.2/10

Rated: Not Rated

Runtime: 1 hr 32 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Jan 21, 2004 Limited

Synopsis: Combining elements of documentary and narrative with academic playfulness, visual artist Amie Siegel's EMPATHY attempts to shed light on the process of psychoanalysis. Gigi Buffington stars as Lia,... Combining elements of documentary and narrative with academic playfulness, visual artist Amie Siegel's EMPATHY attempts to shed light on the process of psychoanalysis. Gigi Buffington stars as Lia, an intense, neurotic actress whose frustrating relationship with her analyst doesn't provide her with the answers that she is seeking to remedy the confusion in her life. Siegel intercuts Lia's story--which involves an unsympathetic sister, a suicide in a mall, and an awkward attempt to tell her analyst about a sexual dream involving him--with a series of candid interviews with real-life analysts, who offer answers to a series of fascinatingly candid questions. To add to the film's multidimensional post modern coverage of its subject, also included are brief histories of both architect Richard Neutra and the chair, designed by Charles and Ray Eames, which has become the analyst's standard. As the layering of the film progresses, Siegel defies viewers' expectations by inserting footage of actresses other than Buffington auditioning for the role of Lia, and the cast and interview subjects mingling at the film's wrap party. Its indirect approach allows EMPATHY to offer plenty of food for thought on a fascinating subject. [More]

Starring: Gigi Buffington, Aria Knee

Starring: Gigi Buffington, Aria Knee

Director: Amie Siegel

Director: Amie Siegel
Screenwriter: Amie Siegel
Producer: Mark Rance

[See More Credits]

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Reviews for Empathy

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1 - 15 (sorted by date)
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A revealing and dryly humorous film about voyeurism and the patient-doctor relationship.

Full Review Source: Boston Globe | comment Comment
01/28/05
Janice Page
Janice Page
Boston Globe
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Empathy, despite its entertaining and insightful dialogue, can also be a bore.

Full Review Source: Miami Herald | comment Comment
06/04/04
Marta Barber
Marta Barber
Miami Herald

An intelligent if shifty riff on the relationship between psychoanalyst and subject.

Full Review Source: Denver Post | comment Comment
05/21/04
Lisa Kennedy
Lisa Kennedy
Denver Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

This odd and fascinating mishmash of fiction, documentary and post-doctoral research project raises a host of interesting questions about the masks people wear, even if it doesn't provide any definitive answers.

Full Review Source: Oregonian | comment Comment
03/05/04
Marc Mohan
Marc Mohan
Oregonian

Explores a fascinating subject in a self-indulgent and less-than- illuminating manner.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
03/03/04
Frank Scheck
Frank Scheck
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Flows with a certain grace and smoothness, due largely to the sense of psychic mystery projected by a sweet actress, Gigi Buffington.

Full Review Source: New York Observer | comment Comment
01/29/04
Andrew Sarris
Andrew Sarris
New York Observer
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Siegel's attempt to unveil psychotherapy's strange nostrums for female depression is labyrinthine and intellectually abstruse, more feminist polemic than good filmmaking.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
01/24/04
Maria Garcia
Maria Garcia
Film Journal International

More about schematically posing questions in the form of a film, as opposed to creating something that feels like an actual film.

Full Review Source: Long Island Press | comment Comment
01/23/04
Prairie Miller
Prairie Miller
Long Island Press
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: AV Club | comment Comment
01/22/04
AV Club

The nonfiction scenes are most interesting, and could have easily sustained the whole picture.

Full Review Source: Christian Science Monitor | comment Comment
01/22/04
David Sterritt
David Sterritt
Christian Science Monitor

A psychological funhouse that's always a pleasure to explore.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
01/22/04
Ken Fox
Ken Fox
TV Guide's Movie Guide

It demystifies the profession in delightful fashion.

Full Review Source: New York Post | comment Comment
01/22/04
V.A. Musetto
V.A. Musetto
New York Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It's smart, inventive and well-crafted. But as a feature film, it's a novelty item at best.

Full Review Source: New York Daily News | comment Comment
01/21/04
Jack Mathews
Jack Mathews
New York Daily News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Saying that Amie Siegel's film about psychoanalysis combines fictional and documentary techniques is a bit misleading, since it deliberately confuses them.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
01/21/04
A.O. Scott
A.O. Scott
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

How did watching the movie make me feel? Interested, amused, and um, empathetic.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
01/20/04
J. Hoberman
J. Hoberman
Village Voice
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
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