The Couch Trip

A misfit patient who escapes Joliet by impersonating a psychiatrist, then becomes a blunt, popular radio host. His charm hides a calculated willingness to bend rules for money, yet he displays genuine empathy for his callers. His arc centers on deception colliding with vulnerability as he navigates fame and fugitive status.

A Beverly Hills psychiatrist and radio host who collapses after an affair with a patient. He returns from London on a quest to reclaim his life, only to be upstaged by the impostor who has hijacked his practice. He ends up committed to a mental facility, symbolizing the collapse of public authority.

Colleague of George who helps John after his arrival in Beverly Hills. She becomes romantically involved with him and then confronts his deception as truth emerges. Her loyalty wavers under pressure, and she ultimately aids in the escape plan, playing a crucial role in the film’s resolution.

Lawyer behind the scheme, tasked with delivering the $200,000 cash and manipulating the money trail. He embodies the corruptible side of the plot and becomes a target as the truth surfaces. His pursuit of wealth intensifies the tension between the impersonator and the real physician.

Chief doctor who suspects John is faking insanity and orchestrates the plan to transfer him to Joliet. He clashes with the impersonator and tries to stay ahead of the deception, ultimately losing his grip as events spiral. His pursuit of control highlights the fragility of professional authority.

Kleptomaniac former priest who discovers John's plan and becomes a reluctant ally. He reveals a capacity for loyalty despite selfish tendencies and ultimately finds a path to a new life with John. His presence adds comic danger and shifting loyalties to the story.

George's wife who confesses an affair with Harvey, introducing a personal crisis that ties the moral thread of deception to the domestic sphere. She serves as a catalyst for tensions in Beverly Hills and London, complicating loyalties.