Search - Letting Go on DVD

Psychotherapy for the broken hearted

R. Galeano Valencia | Caracas, Venezuela | 03/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a movie originally made for TV. I watched it way back in 1987 one of those late nights when endlessly clicking my remote, and simply got stucked. Tried to buy the movie but it was difficult back then to find TV movies in video stores. So I resigned myself to a poor quality Betamax copy of it. What a surprise nearly 15 years later, I found the DVD on Amazon.

The story goes like this. Kate Marshall (Sharon Gless) a school teacher, is unknowingly trapped in a one-way love relationship as her boyfriend Neil (Joe Cortese), an executive for an advertising firm, seems to be growing apart from her by the day. Kate keeps overlooking the situation until that fateful day when she painfully finds out that Neil has been cheating on her for 7 months with a beautiful TV model he happens to work with. Kate's world falls apart, of course, as Neil leaves her.

On the other hand, Alex Schuster (John Ritter) owner of a computer and electronics store, is a young father of a 10-year old boy named Max. Six months ago Alex lost his beloved wife of 11 years, Karen, in a plane crash. As Max seems to be somehow overcoming loss more effectively, Alex simply can't get it together and has become a train-wreck in progress. His job and business seriously affected by his constant mood lows and depression.

Two people. Two lives. Two different love stories. Two broken hearts.

Both Alex and Kate will be made aware by friends and neighbors about the existence of a Therapy Group for the Broken Hearted which is conducted by Dr. Rudnick (a beautiful character in the movie, magnificently portrayed by Max Gail). Dr. Rudnick is a down-to-earth psychologist who has put together a practical therapy based on behaviour modification, specifically designed "To Let Go". To let go of failed relationships. To let go of unloving partners, to let go of dependence-based relationships that end up hurting more than benefitting and to eventually help people in this situation to find the path to love again without all the suffering and bitterness that comes along when a love relationship goes wrong.

As Kate and Alex, join the group (separately) they will progressively embark in the impossible series of practical (and often hilarious) exercises involved in the "Letting Go" therapy. Some too painful to carry on, particularly for Alex whose loss is certainly a definitive one. In the end, they will eventually find the path of effective healing, which in time will enable them to have an open heart, and love again.

Despite being a 1985 movie, "Letting go" inmediately captivates with a particular brand of magic as it deals with feelings and situations nearly every human being is familiar with. To love intensely and not being loved in return. To loose a loved one either to tragedy, or to someone else. Plus the background leit-motiv is the beautiful "In my life" by the everpresent Beatles... The result is a movie is so well written, fresh and comforting that it ends up like being part of the "therapy", so feel free to watch it whenever you feel like broken hearted or simply for the pure sheer joy of enjoying a beautiful love story. You won't regret it."