Plot
The fact-based story of an unconventional physician who attempted to heal patients with laughter, based on his own book and mixing equal doses of scatological humor and pathos. Robin Williams stars as Hunter Adams, a troubled young man who commits himself to a mental institution in the late 1960s. His experiences there convince Adams to become a doctor, and he enrolls in medical school, where he is appalled at the cold, clinical professionalism that alienates patients from their caregivers. Determined to provide emotional and spiritual relief as well as medicine, Adams clowns around for his patients, getting to know them personally. Although his efforts seem to work wonders and the hospital nursing staff is grateful for the levity Adams provides, his methods alienate his uptight roommate Mitch (Philip Seymour Hoffman) as well as the staff and faculty of his school. Adams perseveres, however, even starting his own low-cost rural clinic called the Gesundheit Institute, and wooing a pretty fellow student, Carin (Monica Potter). Tragedy strikes, and Adams' career is put in jeopardy, forcing him to defend his style and philosophy before a board of jurists determined to bar him from practicing medicine. Patch Adams (1998) was produced by former M*A*S*H (1972-83) star Mike Farrell, who met the real-life Adams when the offbeat doctor served as an advisor to the actor's popular TV series. ~ Karl Williams, RoviReview
After playing the funny-yet-sympathetic doctor in Awakenings, the funny-yet-sympathetic teacher in Dead Poets Society, and then the funny-yet-sympathetic disc jockey in Good Morning, Vietnam, Robin Williams finally goes back to his roots as the funny-yet-sympathetic doctor in this story of a medical student who reminds us that "laughter is always the best medicine." Comedy director Tom Shadyac's true story of a man named Patch Adams -- who was responsible for introducing the initial concept of endorphins in the brain -- is told with all the Universal Studios panache, trying to appease all filmgoing audiences. Patch's philosophy of "treating the patient, not the disease" creates both allies and foes at the University of Virginia medical hospital. His roommate, Mitch (Boogie Nights' Philip Seymour Hoffman), sees Patch as a goofball, until his own problem with a stubborn patient forces him to utilize Patch's methods. However, the university dean is Patch's harshest critic, eventually dismissing Patch from the hospital. As Patch himself overcomes serious depression, he eventually opens his own clinic where he gains notoriety as the "people doctor." He then writes a book, which is ultimately turned into a Hollywood movie starring Robin Williams. You get the idea. ~ Chris Gore, RoviCast
- Robin Williams - Patch Adams
- Daniel London - Trumen
- Monica Potter - Carin
- Philip Seymour Hoffman - Mitch
- Bob Gunton - Dean Walcott
Credit
Jim Nedza - Art Director, Alan B. Curtiss - Associate Producer, Allegra Clegg - Associate Producer, Steve Oedekerk - Co-producer, Devorah Moos-Hanklin - Co-producer, Judy Ruskin-Howell - Costume Designer, Alan B. Curtiss - First Assistant Director, Tom Shadyac - Director, Don Zimmerman - Editor, Tom Shadyac - Executive Producer, Marsha Garces Williams - Executive Producer, Marc Shaiman - Composer (Music Score), Hallie D'Amore - Makeup, Linda de Scenna - Production Designer, Phedon Papamichael - Cinematographer, Mike Farrell - Producer, Marvin Minoff - Producer, Charles James Newirth - Producer, Barry Kemp - Producer, Nelson Stoll - Sound/Sound Designer, David M. Blitstein - Special Effects Supervisor, Steve Oedekerk - Screenwriter, Hunter Doherty Adams - Book Author, Maureen Mylander - Book Author| Patayin Mo Sa Sindak Si Barbara (1974 Film), Patate (1969 Film) | |
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