R | 1h 36m | Documentary | November 14, 2022 Actor Jonah Hill (“Superbad,” “Money Ball”) has made a documentary (more or less) about his therapist and friend Phil Stutz, who happens to be one of the world’s leading psychiatrists.
“Stutz” ticks a few boxes: It’s a loving homage, an on-screen therapy session, and a presentation to the world of Dr. Stutz’s life’s work, in hopes that putting his doctor’s distinct therapy tools on display might help others, as they clearly helped Hill himself navigate life.
Director-actor Jonah Hill in the documentary he made to celebrate his psychiatrist, in “Stutz.” (Netflix)
After watching Phil Stutz talk for a couple of minutes, I knew exactly what motivated Jonah Hill. He’s telling the story of the great teacher who, due to humility, won’t tell his own story. Stutz, age 75, is roughly the age of my former coach, the reclusive, unsung, world-class New York acting teacher Allen Savage, another New York Jewish man of that no-nonsense generation who curse up a storm while slam-dunking hard-to-nail-down ephemeral concepts with mind-blowing common sense and side-splitting humor….