Wasting no time at all in perceiving the role of therapist as humane, not clinical, Stutz marks an interesting turn for director Jonah Hill. Perceptions of therapy have changed. Gone are the dusty offices of people listening to problems until they figure themselves out and in comes a new direction for how talking to an analyst can change the mind for the better. Much of Stutz, this Netflix original documentary, relies on an openness not just for Hill but for eponymous subject Phil Stutz. He is immediate and sincere with what is and is not acceptable about the notion of therapy and how it is utilised. In exploring that, new depth is found and nothing but good intentions flow.
Explaining what the tools of therapy are and, more importantly, why they are utilised, is a nice insight into how the back-and-forth between therapist and patient works. Teaching and listening. It is not just one or the other for Stutz and such notes are formed incredibly well by Hill’s direction. Big ideas boiled down into simple images that can be swallowed as the bitter and obvious pill it is. Hill is keen to humanise those that pick apart the lives of those in doctors’ offices looking to explain and find a solution or acceptance of problems that are either out of their reach or seemingly so. To do so, Hill humanises Stutz, not as a figure that should be lauded, but as a respectable individual working hard to make a difference. His hardships are not focused on but utilised in subtle moments that give the audience a breath away from harder moments but note that nobody is living an idyllic life.
Action and reaction are just as important as listening and understanding. Not every hurdle can be navigated but Stutz appears to believe it is worth a try regardless. The mental benefit of an attempt is told through a healthy dose of anecdotes, and personable and interesting moments that get to grips with the life of Stutz. This is not just a piece on his work but on his life. Hill’s too. Hill trusts wildly and blindly in the abilities he has as a director, in understanding that unique and normal people can be just as inspiring and interesting as those perceived as greater beings. Stutz would never have been the subject of a Netflix documentary that engages his work with hundreds of thousands had it not been for the active reaction Hill had to his identity and encouragement from Stutz.
Borderline free therapy directed with such a keen desire to focus on Stutz and to see what comes out of it. Moments that can be forgiven for forgetting Hill is not a presenter or host submitting prompts and questions. He is human, as is Stutz, as is the grief they share in and attempt to control. His presence in front of and behind the camera is skilful and touching. Moving but not so much that it pulls away from the focus of how therapy can benefit those lost in a sea of doubt. Articulating how opportunity comes from adversity and vice versa, Stutz is an articulate and personable experience that will no doubt click with those interested in how they go about bettering themselves, and how interest in the ordinary gives a dossier of information that is intense to learn and rewarding to remember.
Discover more from Cult Following
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
