Our Time Is Up

The film opens with Dr. Stern opening his home office, where he takes a phone call from a newly licensed therapist, Dr. GardenSchwartz, he met at a recent conference. GardenSchwartz implores the more established provider for insights on how he handles his doctor/patient relationships, but is rebuffed when Stern says that he is too busy. Throughout the day Stern treats various patients: a womanizer, a woman with body dysmorphia, a closeted gay man, a germophobe, a man with a phobia of turtles, a man dealing with an abusive girlfriend, a man who compulsively fondles women, and a man afraid of the dark. Stern listens to each of them carefully and assures them that although treatment is slow, that it will work over time. He then receives a call from his oncologist Dr. Williams, who informs him that he only has a few weeks to live. Stern returns to work, but finds that he now lacks the patience he did before. Instead of telling his patients that things will work out, he is instead brutally honest with them. He tells the womanizer that his actions are a result of low self-esteem and an Oedipus complex, causing the man to walk out in anger. He tells the closeted man that he is obviously gay, the body dysmorphia woman that she doesn't need to diet, tries aversion therapy with the pervert, exposure therapy with the people with the turtle phobia, fear of the dark, and germophobe, and tells the abused boyfriend that he should throw plates back at his girlfriend. This causes some of them to leave in anger, while others return. Stern begins to hang out with his gardener, who he previously ignored, and puts his home for sale. One evening the womanizer returns to his office and thanks him for being honest with him, as it has changed his life. The other patients report similar improvements with their issues, who thank him for his work. He then receives a call from GardenSchwartz, who again asks for advice. Stern pauses, then asks the other doctor if right now is a good time. == Cast ==