The Temporal Displacement Foundation is a posh mental asylum specializing in
the treatment of patients who believe they are famous people from history. It
is headed by Dr. Sam Cohen, a brilliant psychiatrist, whose therapy technique
consists of re-enacting scenes from those historical figures' lives. These
psychodramas are intended to provide a cathartic cure for the patients. The
Hitler patient is particularly notable. Incredibly convincing, the patient is
obviously a genius, able to spout any of Hitler's recorded speeches verbatim at
the drop of a hat.
With his unlimited theatrical budget, Cohen uses props,
costumes and other therapists as actors to vividly re-enact the major public
and private events in Hitler's life. Only traces of the patient remain as he
chrages forward like a battering ram, giving hope to a frustrated nation. His
appeal to the common people is evident by his faithful followers. Fired up by
his many successes, he prematurely attempts a putsch in an effort to begin a
new national government. This lands him in jail, where he manages to turn his
mistake into success by writing most of "Mein Kampf", his popular
testament. The patient is nearly forgotten as this ruthless and cruel dictator
emerges. The psychodramas illuminate Hitler's strange relationshio with women,
Hitler as a political strategist and Hitler as a psychopath. Those closest to
him commit suicide or are murdered with astonishing frequency. When the Hitler
patient finds out that Dr. Cohen is a Jew, he proves to be true to Hitler's
nature in a strartling denouement.
Starring Angus MacFadyen ("Saw III,"
"Equilibrium"), Brion James (Robert Altman's "The Player"),
Rene Auberjoinis ("Where the Buffalo
Roam") and Mena Suvari ("American Beauty").
"ONE OF THE TEN BEST FILMS OF THE YEAR!" - LA
Weekly
