"Patch Adams" is the perfect film for anyone who has never seen another movie in their life (particularly "Dead Poets Society," since there are strong connections, i.e. Robin Williams as misunderstood Christ figure, pointless death of major characters, cheap emotional manipulation, etc). There is no plot point that any observant film-goer won't be able to call in advance.
This movie is shameless, particularly the ending, which makes me fume just thinking about it. (Don't read onward it you want the surprise of realizing what the ending will be five minutes into the film.) Okay, so there's a courtroom scene. In a medical drama. Okay, so you might not have a problem with that. But here's the charge against Patch in said scene: Practicing medicine without a license. Guess what? He's guilty! He is running his little hospital ILLEGALLY! He's guilty!!!! But nevermind that, cuz here come all those little kids Patch made laugh....and look! They're all putting enema bulbs on their noses to look like clowns....just like their felon hero, Patch. Hmm...those kids....none of them have hair......so I'm guessing they're all on chemo or radiation......meaning it probably isn't very safe for them to wander into a courtroom (in their hospital gowns, no less). Somebody get these kids and IV, quick! Oh, and Patch isn't guilty, cuz he makes people laugh. Somebody get me a bat.
I don't disagree with Patch's approach to medicine, putting a human face on each patient and alleviating their pain with a little humanity, but next time, put that approach into a film that doesn't try to convince me so shamelessly.
This movie is shameless, particularly the ending, which makes me fume just thinking about it. (Don't read onward it you want the surprise of realizing what the ending will be five minutes into the film.) Okay, so there's a courtroom scene. In a medical drama. Okay, so you might not have a problem with that. But here's the charge against Patch in said scene: Practicing medicine without a license. Guess what? He's guilty! He is running his little hospital ILLEGALLY! He's guilty!!!! But nevermind that, cuz here come all those little kids Patch made laugh....and look! They're all putting enema bulbs on their noses to look like clowns....just like their felon hero, Patch. Hmm...those kids....none of them have hair......so I'm guessing they're all on chemo or radiation......meaning it probably isn't very safe for them to wander into a courtroom (in their hospital gowns, no less). Somebody get these kids and IV, quick! Oh, and Patch isn't guilty, cuz he makes people laugh. Somebody get me a bat.
I don't disagree with Patch's approach to medicine, putting a human face on each patient and alleviating their pain with a little humanity, but next time, put that approach into a film that doesn't try to convince me so shamelessly.