Robin Williams stars in a semi-biographical comedy-drama film costarring Daniel London, Monica Potter, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Bob Gunton. Directed by Tom Shadyac, it is based on the life story of Dr. Hunter "Patch" Adams and his book, Gesundheit: Good Health is a Laughing Matter, by Adams and Maureen Mylander.
Plot In A Paragraph: In the 1970's medical student Hunter "Patch" Adams starts to illegally "treat" patients at a hospital using humour as a medicine.
Williams is his usual self and he is well supported by the rest of the cast especially Gunton, Potter, London and the always brilliant Philip Seymour Hoffman. However Michael Jeter who I love, is not given as much to do as one would hope.
My only real problem with this movie seemed to be more of the same of Williams going in to a stuffy environment and shaking things up, and being looked down upon by his peers, but loved by those he helps. I wanted this to be as brilliant as "Dead Poets Society" and "Awakenings" and I love Robin Williams, but think he over shadowed the real Dr Hunter "Patch Adams" who I think deserved a better movie of his life achievements.
It does have its moments, and is not without its laugh out loud funny and touching moments and of course Williams remains as watchable as always, but this just didn't hit the mark for me, despite the movies best intentions.
Plot In A Paragraph: In the 1970's medical student Hunter "Patch" Adams starts to illegally "treat" patients at a hospital using humour as a medicine.
Williams is his usual self and he is well supported by the rest of the cast especially Gunton, Potter, London and the always brilliant Philip Seymour Hoffman. However Michael Jeter who I love, is not given as much to do as one would hope.
My only real problem with this movie seemed to be more of the same of Williams going in to a stuffy environment and shaking things up, and being looked down upon by his peers, but loved by those he helps. I wanted this to be as brilliant as "Dead Poets Society" and "Awakenings" and I love Robin Williams, but think he over shadowed the real Dr Hunter "Patch Adams" who I think deserved a better movie of his life achievements.
It does have its moments, and is not without its laugh out loud funny and touching moments and of course Williams remains as watchable as always, but this just didn't hit the mark for me, despite the movies best intentions.