Patch Adams * * (out of * * * * )
Directed by Tom Shadyac.
Cast: Robin Williams, Monica Potter, Bob Gunton, Philip Seymour Hoffman,
Peter Coyote, Irma P. Hall, Ellen Albertini Dow.
1998 - 110 minutes.
Rated PG-13 (for profanity).
Reviewed December 14, 1998.
Written by Dustin Putman <
Dustin Putman's Film
Reviews>
"Patch Adams," is highly reminiscent of the wonderful 1990 film,
"Awakenings," also starring Robin Williams. There are many similarities,
as well. Both films are based on true stories; they both take place,
partially, in 1969; they are both set in a hospital; and they both mix
humor and drama. Maybe this is one of the biggest problems with, "Patch
Adams," since it is far inferior to, "Awakenings," which felt so much
more realistic and honest. That isn't to say that, "Patch Adams," is a
bad film, though. Actually, I enjoyed it quite a lot up until the highly
disappointing climax.
Robin Williams stars as Patch Adams, a depressed man who, at the start
of the film, checks himself into a mental hospital after an attempted
suicide. After helping his roommate get over his fear of squirrels,
which he imagines have surrounded the room, Patch is suddenly cured,
realizing that making others feel better through humor helps his own
problems to disappear. Sure enough, two years later, Patch starts a
medical school in Virginia, and begins sneaking into the hospital and
having fun with all of the patients, some of which are terminally ill.
Although he firmly believes that making other people laugh helps them to
feel better, the hospital board disagrees, putting his plans of becoming
a doctor into jeopardy.
For the majority of its running time, "Patch Adams," was very enjoyable
for a number of reasons. The characters were all superbly handled, and
written very well. Philip Seymour Hoffman was a standout as Williams'
college roommate, who begins to grow envious of him when Patch starts to
get some of the highest grades in the class, even though he does not
seem to ever study. The character could have been a throwaway role, but
Hoffman turns a potentially one-dimensional character into a completely
believable person who is very serious about becoming a doctor, and is
struggling to get by. Another element I liked in the film was its smooth
mixture of comedy and drama. Although often funny, Williams never went
overboard as he occasionally does, and there were a few gentle, quiet,
and touching moments. A subplot involving the blossoming romance between
Williams and a serious pre-med student (Monica Potter) was smartly
written, and the payoff caught me totally by surprise, even if its
strains at drama, in this respect, came off as slightly obvious.
Before the climax arrived, I liked the movie, but did not love it. The
workings of the plot were a little too conventional and predictable for
my taste. However, when the ending came, the whole effect of the movie
was pretty much ruined. Without giving away what happens, it concluded
with a courtroom scene that was so falsely sentimental and cliched that
I felt rather betrayed at its severe reaches for cheap melodrama. It was
at the point that I knew for a fact how everything was going to end, and
it saddened me to think that the screenwriter, Steve Oedekerk, took such
an easy way out.
When all is said and done, "Patch Adams," is an earnest attempt at
making a film that is both comedic and moving, and as a vehicle for
Robin Williams, it is perfect. Williams, along with his last two
pictures, "Good Will Hunting," and, "What Dreams May Come," has proven
that he is an actor with a lot of range, and doesn't always have to be
silly. But coming out of, "Patch Adams," I had this strange feeling
that, although based on a true story, the film took extreme liberties in
order to construct it into a more managable film for mainstream
audiences. This is quite unfortunate, since, "Patch Adams," clearly held
so much promise.
Have I Seen This Movie: Yes
And What Did I Think?: I rather enjoyed Patch Adams, and thought Robin Williams did a good job playing the real life character. It made you want to both laugh and cry. While other doctors at his school teach that a doctor shouldn't have any humanity toward their patients, Patch thinks the opposite. He treats them like real human beings and in addition to medication, making them feel good by laughing is the cure. It seems Robin Williams is better at playing a little more dramatic roles such as this one, or in What Dreams May Come & Good Will Hunting. He shows his dramatic side in this one when he loses the woman he loves, it should move you to tears as well. A lot of critics didn't care for this movie, but I think it was judged too harshly. If you want a movie that will make you laugh, cry, and feel good at the end, then you shouldn't be too disappoined with this.
I give Patch Adams 3.5 out of 5 stars
Review written July 2, 1999
