Patch Adams (1998)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Don't listen to the negative reviews

It's an amazing and heartbreaking story.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

Yes, Patch Adams is a pile of sentimental mush. Yeah, the filmmakers took severe liberties with the source material until their protagonist scarcely resembled the fellow they based him on. Sure, it's soppy to all hell. My thoughts on all of the above: So freakin what. None of that has stopped me from loving the film growing up as a kid, and continuing to do so these days too. The message it delivers and the values it supports can be relatable to anyone in any walk of life, not just the medical field. Robin Williams had his demons, but he could be the brightest beacon of love and optimism a lot of the time, and he carries that wonderfully throughout the film. Patch Adams is a manic depressive, deeply sad man who finds his calling in the field of medicine following an epiphany involving a fellow patient (Michael Jeter, always great) at the psychiatric facility he is staying in. Upon enrolling in medical school he finds the cold, clinical atmosphere of his field uninviting. Patch is a vibrant soul who wishes to combat illness and despair not just with medicine, but a healthy dose of humour, empathy and the readiness to listen to your patient, think outside the box and have compassion. His methods are seen as unorthodox, especially by the college dean (Bob Gunton), whose ass is so tight that when he farts only dogs hear it. Patch both struggles and triumphs, finding solace and inspiration in daily interaction with patients, and hits walls with his superiors, who neither trust nor understand his ways. It's always an uphill journey for any sort of pioneer, but he soldiers on, aided by William's remarkable work. Patch starts his own independent clinic along with fellow student and girlfriend Carin (the lovely and very underrated Monica Potter), and life is good. But it's never safe from tragedy, as we tearfully bear witness to in a plot turn that will rip out your heart and huck it off a cliff. Patch is undeterred though, adamant in his quest to bring light, levity and love into the lives of the people he works with, regardless of how much time they have left on this earth, or who tells him what he should and shouldn't do. That's essentially what the story is about: helping others any way you can. That extends beyond simply trying to cure their disease, remove a tumor, prescribe a medication or diagnose an illness in a dry, detached manner. It's about alleviating suffering not only with the tools of your practice, but with those of your heart and soul as well. Patch knows this, and won't back down from the good fight. Bless his heart, and William's too, for a performance of warmth and affection. Watch for work from Philip Seymour Hoffman, Josef Sommer, Ryan Hurst, Richard Kelly, Harve Presnell, Daniel London, Irma P. Hall, Barry Shabaka Henley, Alan Tudyuk and and excellent Peter Coyote as a stubborn cancer patient. There's naysayers galore buzzing around this film like gnats. Swat 'em harshly, and don't let 'em get you down. Those of us who appreciate the film know what's up.

Patch Adams (1998): Dir: Tom Shadyac / Cast: Robin Williams, Monica Potter, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Bob Gunton, Peter Coyote: Based on the true story of Hunter Adams who is self admitted into an institution due to suicide attempts. He is overjoyed when he helps a patient and aims to become a doctor himself. He is given the name Patch after he fixes a leak in a coffee cup. Too bad that he couldn't fix the leak in the screenplay. Familiar plot with an unnecessary scene involving a meat party that serves no other purpose than for Adams to don the white overcoat. The film seems as a take on One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest with an ending that is contrived. Directed by Tom Shadyac who deals with characters of odd behavior who struggle in their place in society. He previously made The Nutty Professor and Liar Liar. Robin Williams is carrying the film as someone who goes from depressed state to reaching a purpose. Monica Potter serves only as a love interest who will meet tragedy. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is flat as Patch's roommate. Bob Gunston plays the stereotypical dean who dislikes Patch's practice and basically has a stick up his ass. Peter Coyote plays a patient whom Patch attempts to cheer up but only succeeds in pissing off. We are given much insight into this individual that deserves better writing. Laughter can be a solution but not when your story is full of clichés. Score: 4 ½ / 10

Robin Williams has always been one of may fevered actor, and in this movie he has ones Again proved that he is one of the greatest actor there is, i am talking about his performs in Patch Adams. The movie shows have a smile can help people there are sick, but also that too be different, and stand out of the normality norms isn't always easy, and the person has to be a Little brave, to have the guts to be different, in the movie wee follow Patch and see him trying to make are differences in other people's live. In the start of the movie we are following Patch Adams there is committed in a mental hospital because he is depressed an cannot see anything good in his live, he is meeting some People in the hospital we meet his room mate there in hes mind se scrolls so he is afraid to go too the bathroom, Patch is helping him so he can get too the bedroom, after that Patch see the meaning whit his live and get out of the hospital. Efter years we se him as a student ind Medical school, and that is weer in the movie it all begin.

The movie "Adam Peach" is a relevant movie for people under the public health service. This movie shows the viewers, Adams journey through his dreams. Adam went to a psychiatric department, because he tried to commit suicide in the last. The viewers thinks that he is so miserable and unhappy at the department. We all thought that his life was over, and that he probably will be there for the rest of his life. He started to help the other people in the department. In the hospital there was this therapy group where Adam makes fun about this man that have some kind of a disease where one of his hands where up all the time. I thought that was so funny myself! Adam started in a medical school because he wanted to help other people. Adams life then chances when he finds out that in medical school, the main work is to save the client from dying and not see them as human beings. Adam tried to make his classmates understand that having fun with the client is the main thing, but no one believed him. The best part of the movie is when Adam attended to be a hospital clown. He made a lot of fun things! This is where the viewers sees the joy in the kids eyes that was in the hospital.