"Excessive happiness?"      

PATCH ADAMS (PG-13) 

Reviewed December 26, 1998 - Check out the Patch Adams Website.

The tagline for Patch Adams' movie posters reads very simply: "Laughter is contagious."  Based on the true story of Dr. Hunter "Patch" Adams and starring no other than Robin Williams himself, the film follows Patch on his quest to heal through laughter.  Treat the patient, not the disease; get to know them, make them laugh; these are people, not "cases."  As a medical student at the University of Virginia, this is a philosophy that endears Patch to his patients while raising the ire of the "traditional" medical community.  Patch is getting "too close" to the patients.  He is disruptive.  He is undisciplined.  He cannot follow the rules.

Yes folks, this is once again "Robin Williams versus The System"...it's the same Robin Williams we saw in Good Morning, Vietnam, and to some extent it's the same Robin Williams we saw in Awakenings.  Is this a formula?  Yes.  Does it work?  Definitely. 

Directed by Tom Shadyac (Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Liar Liar), Patch Adams is a heavy combined dose of straight-on, over-the-top Robin Williams comedy and heartwarming, uplifting Robin Williams sentimentalism.  It's a crowd-pleasing combination, and one that Patch Adams delivers very effectively.  Note: I have not heard a packed movie audience laugh as often and as hard as it did during the first hour of this film.  It was the kind of laughter that causes you to miss whole sections of dialog, but it's also the kind of laughter that makes you appreciate the pure comedic talent of someone like Robin Williams.  Make no mistake about it, Patch Adams *is* Robin Williams' film, and it is very, very funny. 

The second half of Patch Adams is, for the most part, a more subdued story, focusing on Patch's burgeoning relationship with classmate Carin (Monica Potter), and his escalating troubles with the medical school's dean (Bob Gunton).  Patch's work to establish the "Gezundheit Institute" (to heal through compassion, laughter and contact) leads to personal tragedy, as well as the possibility of his expulsion from medical school.  At this point, the film really turns into one of those stories about "the human spirit," but fortunately Patch Adams makes this transition smoothly enough.  The end result is a film that is funny, likeable, good-natured, and generally perfect for the holiday season.  Go see it!

Responses from cyberspace--thanks for writing!

Eoakwell@BTInternet.com gives this movie  stars. (12/13/00)

saraes85@aol.com gives this movie  stars: "Brilliant, sweet, humorous, and touching. Excellent movie." (9/11/00)

David Rogers gives this movie  stars: "Not really a funny movie." (5/6/00)

iblc@netvision.net.il gives this movie  stars: "It is great to know that some soul lights can relally light up other people's lives like it has mine." (4/8/00)

blondieboo_99@yahoo.com gives this movie  stars: "I have been a LPN for 11 years now and I absolutely LOVED the movie. It was very good and touching. We need more people like Dr. Adams in the world. I commend him on everything he does. " (3/14/00)

prj@vaxxine.com gives this movie  stars: "This was truly a wonderful and inspiring movie! We had so many bad experiences with doctors when our first child was born with severe hydrocephalus. We were treated horribly with absolutley no sensitivity to our feelings and emotions. We got alot of cold Doctor's terminology, were given a list of all the terrible things we would have to face with regards to our son's future. We were led to believe that our son would have no quality of life...they were wrong! They finally shunted him when he was 12 days old....only for cosmetic reasons however. We really wished that we would have received some compassion from the doctors- we had absolutley none. How much better it would have been for our son and ourselves if only we did! This movie or a complete biography of Dr. hunter "Patch" Adams should be sent to every medical school in North America. " (10/11/99)

jessfroggy@prodigy.net gives this movie  stars: "I usally cant stand Robert Williams but i couldent help liking this movie its really a good film about determination and keeping your goals alive i feel the death at the end was not necessary though. the movie is really funny too" (8/18/99)

samanth@live.com.au gives this movie  stars: "I Totally enjoyed this film and I went to see it as a fundraising benefit for children with cancer -in the audience there was a troupe of clowns (from all walks of life -buissness men \bank managers \teachers \nursesand doctors)all in there brightest finery-all of them had recently done a workshop with the MAN himself Dr Patch Adams (the guy that robin williams plays in the film)what an honour! -I was hopeing to get into contact with the man himself and congradulate him !" (8/12/99)

jmitch@cvtvweb.cvtv.net gives this movie  stars: "Very well presented. Robin Williams fit the part perfectly. Being of the medical profession I ejoyed the cncept very much. Only wish we had more Dr.s like Patch Adams or Robin Williams if he would like to take a stab at it. This movie left me full of excitement and I totaly enjoyed it." (8/10/99)

charlie38c@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "The movie Patch Adams is so worth more than just the 5 star rating. It is definetly a 10! There is so much truth in it that to laugh is the greatest medicine in life...The movie will make you think about how trivial things really can be if you would only laugh...it makes you cry and smile and just realize how precious your time here is and to spend it happy instead of always worrying. I need to learn this lesson......as I think we all do. Fabulous movie ....A must see for everyone...." (8/8/99)

bchuma@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "A real 5 star, eye watering movie. Robin Williams has a way of expressing the heart like no other actor. An excellent movie. Its the kind of movie you can remember frame for frame because it has so much meaning. You just cant forget!! I am still looking for info on gezunheit hospital. Can you help? Thank you." (8/8/99) [Try visiting the Gesundheit! Institute's official homepage at http://www.patchadams.org/ ...it's got lots of useful information on the organization and how you can help. :-)  -- fuzzydog]

DAB355@aol.com gives this movie  stars: "Patch Adams is the best movie I've seen in years!!! To know this man exists in the world gives me hope. Hope that there are people out there that still look at human beings as more than a number or a case........we are people. Without laughter .........I probably wouldn't have lived til now. Patch Adams is a breath of fresh air and I could only hope the rest of the medical profession would learn from him. The part was made for Robin Williams........no one else could have played the part as well. To the real Patch Adams............God Bless you." (6/27/99)

clover@landmarknet.net gives this movie  stars: "Doctors today, for the most part, have lost sight of the compassion and empathy shared with the viewers in "Patch" Adams. While medical expertise continues to become more precise and advanced, patients remain frightened and alone, rather than supported by the very physicians who could offer them the comfort that they need. Where are the 1,000 plus doctors who have offered their services to the Gezundheit Institute, and why do the medical schools not listen to the patients pleas?" (6/26/99)

fred's@nci2000.net gives this movie  stars: "This movie and the man himself is a God sent. Wishing patch was here, I need a patch adams. In canton, ohio, I believe I have been abused by the system. Drugged, suicidal, drugged somemore and then left alone to seek medical help. Drugged me to make me not feel the pain of life, my daughter died and they wouldn't let me deal with it. Just drugged me until I try to committ suicide. I want to live and I want to heal. There are not patch adams in Canton, Ohio. I believe I have been black listed from getting a medical doctor. Breast cancer suvivor. Need a patch in my life and his wisdom" (6/22/99)

mhuss@tmh.tmc.edu.com gives this movie  stars: "I laughed. I cried. I did both some more. I have been a nurse for YEARS-Hospice, ICU...My cynical side was soothed away by this absolutely wonderful movie. To think that laughter and love are things valued and real. I have longed to know this one pure truth I live by is seen by others as a viable choice and not a faux pas. Thank you for a movie small on sex and violence and strong on joy and human emotions. It works! " (6/16/99)

ahmetel@yahoo.com gives this movie  stars: "It was really good.I am a medical student I am interested in dr HUNTER ADAMS I want to contact him.could you give any address of him? thanks!" (5/5/99)

staggsr@compuserve.com gives this movie  stars: "thoroughly enjoyed this. Character of Patch Adams was made for Robin Williams." (4/29/99)

chhyl@aol.com gives this movie  stars: "I would love to have this movie shown at all medical schools. The doctors need to learn how to use humor and laugh themselves. The medical profession takes itself much to seriously. GREAT STORY!! Go Patch!!" (3/6/99)

R.Hardy@mediaone.com gives this movie  stars: "This movie was the best movie i have ever seen! I liked the movie because it was halarious and heart touching!" (2/17/99)

JB-Kim@wiu.edu gives this movie  stars: "This was a surprisingly good movie. Full of humor, emotion, and never lost sight of what the point of it all was. However, the film almost fell short with the courtroom scene. It was almost a little too long and came up as cheesy and reminiscent of the courtroom scene with Al Pacino in "Scent of a Woman" in which Pacino gives a tremendous speech at the end. All in all, it is a fun movie to watch...date flick? why not?" (1/30/99)

vivaep@webtv.net gives this movie  stars: "When I saw this movie, I was really impressed with it. It is one of the true-story movies that I have actually enjoyed.There is always a kink or two in any movie. The humor is quite predictable, especially when it comes from Robin Williams, and a few of the scenes are quite comparable to a movie I had seen in the past called "Bad Medicine" with Steve Gutenberg and Julie Haggerty. Other than that this movie has everything you would expect from a great movie.It has comedy, drama, romance, and best of all,it is realistic and true." (1/2/99)