The movie Cosi is a 1996 Australian comedy-drama film directed by Mark Joffe and featuring a star-studded cast that includes Ben Mendelsohn, Toni Collette, Rachel Griffiths, and Barry Otto. The film is based on a play of the same name by Louis Nowra, and it depicts the journey of a young man named Lewis, a recent university graduate who takes on a job at a psychiatric institution in Sydney.
Under the auspices of the institution's director, Lewis is tasked with starting a therapeutic drama program aimed at rehabilitating mentally ill patients. Despite his initial hesitations, Lewis eventually decides to stage the opera Cosi Fan Tutte by Mozart, a decision that is met with both support and skepticism from his cast of patients.
With the help of his trusted assistant, nurse Julie, and an enthusiastic but untrained group of actors, Lewis embarks on a journey to mount his production of Cosi, despite the numerous obstacles and setbacks he faces along the way. The patients he works with are a diverse group, with various conditions and personalities, including a pyromaniac, a drug addict, and a woman with severe OCD.
As the play rehearsals progress, the patients begin to open up to one another and to Lewis in ways that were previously unimaginable. While some ultimately drop out of the production, others step up to the challenge and prove themselves to be talented and dedicated actors.
Despite the many challenges he faces, both personal and professional, Lewis manages to mount a production of Cosi that is both hilarious and touching. And through his work with these patients, he learns not only about the healing power of theater but also about the importance of compassion, empathy, and perseverance in the face of adversity.