Customer Reviews

Patch Adams - DTS

5 star:		(158)
4 star:		(35)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(38)

 

 

+++++

This movie is based on the book "Gesundheit: Good Health is a Laughing Matter" by Hunter Doherty Adams with Maureen Mylander.

Mike Farrell of "M*A*S*H" fame was one of the producers of this movie.

This movie is also based on the true story of Hunter "Patch" Adams.

At the movie's beginning we are taken to the psychiatric ward of a hospital in 1969. We discover here how Hunter Adams (Robin Williams) gets his unique nickname of "Patch" and why he decides to become a medical doctor.

Two years later he goes to medical school where he encounters, among other things, a snobby roommate named Mitch (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a very traditional medical school dean (Bob Gunton), meets a fellow medical student named Truman (Daniel London) who becomes his good friend, and as well meets a stand-offish female medical student Corinne (Monica Potter) who eventually sees his point of view with respect to medicine.

Patch's antics at the hospital where he learns to become a doctor are hilarious. (These antics almost get him kicked out of medical school.) But there is a method to his madness as he wants to humanize medicine. His underlying philosophy is:

"A doctor's mission should be not just to prevent death but also to improve the quality of life [of patients]."

He eventually has a brainstorm of building a free clinic called the "Gesundheit Institute" and to get started he starts a free clinic while still attending medical school.

A tragedy occurs but Patch is able to overcome it.

The movie ends by giving the viewer the following information:

"During the next twelve years, Patch Adams opened a home-based family medical practice and treated more than 15,000 people without payment, malpractice insurance, or formal facilities...construction of the Gesundheit Hospital is currently underway. To date [1998], a waiting list of over 1000 physicians have offered to leave their current practice and join Patch's cause."

All the acting is good but Robin Williams as Patch gives an interesting performance. Even though he delivers sidesplitting humor, I felt that it wasn't over-the-top and is balanced quite well with the inspiring, dramatic, and true story. I was also surprised by Daniel London's excellent performance as Truman, Patch's sidekick. Monica Potter's Corinne character is somewhat one-dimensional but she makes the best of it. Philip S. Hoffman also does a good job as the serious medical student named Mitch.

I also enjoyed the background music. It adds to each scene of the movie.

Some people (including Roger Ebert) don't seem to like this movie. However, according to Amazon's "Theatrical Release Information" (see above), this movie whose budget estimate was $50 million has taken in $194 million worldwide garnering a profit of almost $145 million. So the big question is, "Why don't some people not like this movie." The main reason, I think, is that (believe-it-or-not) some people are satisfied with the traditional medical system as it is today and don't like anything (such as this movie) that criticizes it. Thus, I would not recommend this movie to such traditionalists.

Finally, the DVD (collector's edition) has excellent picture and sound quality. There are a few extras, all of them interesting.

In conclusion, this is an inspiring movie based on a true story that effectively displays Robin Williams' comic and dramatic talents. It is not to be missed!!

(1998; 1 hr,50 min; widescreen)

+++++

Robin Williams' portrayal of Dr. Patch Adams' medical school adventures was both entertaining and inspiring. Although Williams' comic genius shined through in his physical humor of clowning around (e.g. entertaining sick children by dancing with bedpans on his feet, an enema bulb on his nose and an IV stand as a dance partner) as well as quick verbal banter, the comedy is only part of Williams' acting repertoire and movie's appeal. Having seen Robin Williams mostly in interviews where he seemed to be spending every second trying to be funny, I was amazed at his ability to not only be serious, but to convincingly portray a spectrum of non-comic emotions/conditions: shock, grief, guilt, frustration, anger. All was not fun and games in the medical school education of Patch Adams, as he dealt with personal issues, personality clashes and the difficulties of trying change the institution of medicine without getting thrown out of medical school. I also enjoyed the work of the supporting cast of fellow medical students, instructors, administrators, nurses and patients. One especially amusing character was Patch Adams' pompous, roommate Mitch, played with a straight face by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Seeing Adams' effect on the people he knew over time was enjoyable and heartwarming, yet realistic: some warmed up immediately, some over time, and a few, unfortunately, not at all.

But what makes this movie 5 stars is that combined with the good acting and entertainment value, many life's lessons are portrayed. Here are just a few of many. The value of:
* treating patients (and all people) as individuals with feelings, dreams, interests and talents to improve their quality of life, regardless of whether one can cure a disease.
* patience, kindness, persistence, humor and imagination in dealing with personality conflict.
* having a dream, believing in yourself, and selling that vision to others who can help you manifest it.
* having the persistence to deal with obstacles that get in the way of manifesting one's dream.
* having the courage to speak and act out against injustice, even at considerable personal risk.

It's well worth watching this movie to gain wisdom from Patch Adams' life while being entertained by Robin Williams and a host of fine actors. However, those a expecting fast paced movie with lots of adventures and subplots may be disappointed.

Robin Williams gives an outstanding performance. It's touching, funny, and a whole lot cleaner than most movies today. Someone said that this movie showed people being murdered, blaspheming God, and showed you how to have sex. None of this is true. A girl *is* murdered, but you don't see anything at all and don't even know that until way after it happens. She is murdered by a severely insecure man who then kills himself, but you don't see this or even see their bodies afterwards. God is not really blasphemed, but there is one part where Patch sits on a cliff and talks to God about why things had to happen that way, and he considers commiting suicide. But this doesn't happen. And for the life of me I have no idea where they showed or even mentioned sex! The absolute closest thing to that would be at the end when he graduates from medical school... I don't want to give it away because it is hilarious, but don't worry, it's not dirty or nasty. I wouldn't recommend you watch it in front of very very sensitive children, because naturally since it is set in hospital life, there are a couple deaths and serious moments. But there's nothing really bad about this movie. Anyway, after setting that straight: This is one of the greatest movies of all time. It's not one you can watch over and over and over again, as I like to do with most movies, but set viewings several months apart and you will enjoy this movie a lot. ;) It is a life-changing experience.

"Patch Adams" is truly a great movie in every way. Robin Williams plays as Patch Adams, a doctor who tries to be more than just a doctor to his patients, he tries to be a friend by making them laugh and by getting to know them personally. With his sense of humor, Patch Adams isn't like any other doctor. Doctors are known to be all business and to mainly be stuck up and to just get to the facts and then that's all. Therefore, when some of the people, mainly his roomate and the person who owns the hospital, notice Patch Adams's antics, they get angry about the way he does his job and they let him know about it. On the other hand, many of the doctors and nurses like Patch and think he is great for the hospital. But one thing's for sure, ALL of the patients like Patch a lot. Even though Patch is pretty old to be in medical school, he makes friends fast and develops a real important relationship with one of the female students at the school.

"Patch Adams" is one of the best all around movies I've ever seen and in my opinion, it's Robin Williams's best movie by far. Like usual Robin Williams is hilarious while he's doing his antics in the movie, especially when he uses a skeleton to talk to the woman he likes. But even better, he does his humorous tricks in the movie and gets to know the patients and the other people with a real passion and understanding that shines through and makes this Robin Williams's best effort ever, in my opinion.

Going to the doctor might not be such a hassle or a burden if there were more doctors like Patch Adams. "Patch Adams" is an inspirational and heartwarming movie that I recommend anybody to watch. Whether you like comedy movies, drama, or any type of movie, I recommend giving "Patch Adams" a try. It's hard to put into words how great this movie really is.

The movie isn't quite true to Dr. Adam's reality, there are some dramatic elements added, for instance his midlife crisis actually happened while he was 18, as I was told by him.

However this movie isn't supposed to be a biography, but rather an entertaining movie, and it does that well.

With Robin Williams familliar humor this movie engages the audience to see not just the over used concept of the healing power of laughter; but more so the power of connection, of sharing the human experience.

This movie suggests that it isn't enough to just bring your skills to this difficult proffession, but also to take yourself along also. We're all human beings, and we need to treat people with the dignity and compassion we treat ourselves with.

This movie seems to say, to me, that there's nothing wrong with admiting to our shared humanity. This is a powerfull concept...

In any case beyond the ideals suggested, this movie is a light and warm hearted escaped about dealing with life, and overcomming obstacles. I for one recommend this movie.

The always delightful robin williams once again delivers a heartwarming performance in patch adams, a movie based on the actual real life character named Patch Adams who also wrote a novel about his experience. This is a great movie by good director tom shadyac and includes a great cast including williams and philip seymour hoffman as patch's friend mitch.

Williams stars as patch adams a guy who comes to work for a hospital with several patients who are either very ill or whose doctors have done little to improve their condition. adams though, knows that the way to improve their patients is not through medicine but through goodness and happiness. in adams case, he brings laughter and joy using an unusual brand of humor.

In several instances, adams dresses and acts like a clown complete with a red nose. He entertains the dying patients in the hospital with his gentle heart and breathes new life and hope into them.

''You treat a disease, you win or lose, you treat a patient, i'll guarantee you ll win'' that great lines is Adams philosophy toward treating patients.

He sees that one of the main reasons the doctors have failed in improving their patients conditions is because several of the doctors are cold-blooded and unfeeling. The doctors fail to get know their patients intimately and fail most of all to make their patients happy. several of william's colleagues a guy named mitch and a girl name annie are skeptical at first, but after witnessing the improvement in the patients, they see that adams is just what the doctor ordered.

However, not all the people in the hospital is happy with adams. The main boss of the hospital (obviously jealous with adams amazing ability to relate and bring joy the patients) wants adams to quit or be fired from the hospital. i liked this movie very much not only because of williams performance but because of the message. in today's age with greedy HMO's, high medical costs and unfeeling customers service, todays patients don't really get the high quality medical care. Many doctors are rude and impatient with the patients, Nurses fail to get there patients personally and so forth.

Of course not all Doctors and Hospitals are cold-blooded are bad, but it would stupid to say that all of them are good, because they are not. If you turn on the news, there's always a news segment chronicle the bad service of a hospital or doctor, or a lawsuit against both.

So the movie is very fact based. It's actually based on the 1970's real life events of Hunter ''Patch'' Adams (Robin Williams), who founded the Gesundheit Clinic.
Williams does his usual great heartwarming , comedic performance that only he can do. This is a very great film. If you work in the medical profession, you'll probably learn alot.

If you're a Williams fan, you'll love it.

This is one of the best movies I have ever seen. Not only it is funny, but also very inspiring.
I am studying medicine and I see myself in Patch Adams. It always tears me apart when I here that we are supposed to behave like heartless machines. Patients sometimes need a friend more than a doctor. "We must learn to treat the patient as well as the disease"; "Our job is improving the quality of life, not just delaying death" are some of the ideas I had already thought about before watching this.
And relax all of you: the fact that a doctor is much friendlier than usual doesn't necessarily mean he is less competent.

For anyone who wants lessons in Leadership, here it is! This film is chock full of leadership principles. It is amazing how we do the same thing day after day after day and expect different results. Patch Adams breaks the mold and shows courage to challenge everyday practices and think "outside the box".

I agree with some comments that Robin Williams went a little over the top in this otherwise well-meaning and sweet film. The message of the film is much stronger than the messenger though, and I found it to be a very humane and inspiring vehicle for Williams' talents.
A very fine supporting cast. Philip Seymour Hoffman as Patch's prig of a roommate, Monica Potter as his skeptical (at first) love interest and especially, the fellow who plays Truman (the tall, lanky fellow with the glasses) provided comic relief (to Robin Williams! Quite a feat!).
The children in the film were all real patients, and they added a sense of realism and urgency to the film's deep and abiding message of compassion.
This collector's edition has many bonus features. The one I loved the most was Shadyac's commentary. You can see that he was on a mission with this film, and you also learn a lot about his influences. He is as funny as Robin Williams, and maybe even as crazy!

Robin Williams does antoher fantastic job. With a blend of comedy and drama, he brings this TRUE STORY to life with integrity and dignity. Not only does this film provide tons of laughs, it's very educational in that we learn more about the human spirit than we ever have.

It's definitely worth watching!