![Patch Adams [DVD] [1999]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/417KAMXVEKL.jpg)
Product Description This real-life story stars Robin Williams as Patch Adams, a truly unorthodox doctor who clashes with his superiors over the best way to treat patients. For Doctor Adams, the happiness of his patients is paramount and he will go to almost any extreme to keep them laughing. However, this is not always easy as the authorities take an increasingly dim view of his actions. .co.uk Review Patch Adams raises two schools of thought: there are those who are inspired by the true story of a troubled man who finds happiness in helping others--a man set on changing the world and who may well accomplish the task. And then there are those who feel manipulated by this feel-good story, who want to smack the young medical student every time he begins his silly antics. Staving off suicidal thoughts, Hunter Adams commits himself into a psychiatric ward, where he not only garners the nickname "Patch" but learns the joy in helping others. To this end, he decides to go to medical school, where he clashes with the staid conventions of the establishment as he attempts to inject humour and humanity into his treatment of the patients ("We need to start treating the patient as well as the disease", he declares throughout the film). Robin Williams, in the title role, is as charming as ever, although someone should tell him to broaden his range--the ever-cheerful, do-gooder à la Good Will Hunting and Dead Poets Society is getting a little old. His sidekick Truman (Daniel London) steals the show with his gawky allure and eyebrows that threaten to overtake his lean face--he seems more real, which is odd considering that Patch Adams does exist and this film is based on his life. Monica Potter is the coolly reluctant love interest and she makes the most of her one-dimensional part. While moments of true heartfelt emotion do come through, the major flaw of this film is that the good guys are just so gosh-darn good and the bad ones are just big meanies with no character development. Patch Adams, though, does provide the tears, the giggles and the kooky folks who will keep you smiling at the end. --Jenny Brown
C**E
Finally arrived OK quality minimal scratches
Took forever to arrive way later than estimated intact I had forgotten I ordered it it had been that long but it plays fine even with the scratches and cheap packaging it arrived in thankfully undamaged
C**L
Fab
Robin Williams never fails
A**R
Patch Adams
This is what the world should be like...an amazing presentaion of human expresion brought forward and focused on bonding with others, with what? a simple smile ;-) and a few moments of conversation - Not out for personal gain, merely to make others smile and make them feel sound in themselves. after all health is more important at the end of the day..."to make one smile" is Robins god given gift and with his warm heart he has concocted an ideal man/person we should all try to become...forget fancy cars, posh night out eatings etc...take a few moments to look a round and try to get to know the people beside you, to bond for a few moments can make those around you feel welcome and magically warm and healthy inside..."Patch Adams" based on a true story this is one i recommend to all ages....In my final days i would make one wish...for me to be treated by a doctor with the same care and love that Robin has in this movie because all his heart warming gentleness would comfort me forever...this is how the movie has touched me and im sure will do the same to all. out of 5 stars i give 5000 *'s :-)
R**S
A Truly Wonderful Movie.
I understand the critics slated this movie, largely because they felt it was schmaltzy. Comments were made about it not having the ingredients of a successful contemporary film. I guess then if the definition of a successful contemporary film are explicit sex scenes, horrendous violence and the sordid daily lives of people with serious addictions then I'd rather have schmaltz any day. Sure, there is a place in the film industry for the violence and depravity while ever people out there want to buy into that, but if you don't want to be made to feel unsafe and surrounded by darkness, but rather watch a piece of cinema that reminds you how great life can be, and indeed see the Remarkable Mr Williams wonderful soul shine through the lens, then I recommend this movie, and for those of you who still have a soul, equip yourself with a box of tissues. A bloody brilliant film.
C**E
Laughter is the best medicine...
Robin Williams gives a great performance in this movie. Although some critics panned it I found it very heart warming and funny. Based on a true story, Williams plays a trainee Dr, he may be middle aged whereas the other students are young by comparison, but he's in touch with his inner child. He as the ability to connect with the patients real needs and uses a rather unconventional method of making them feel better. His approach to patients does not prove popular with his superiors and although his grades are some of the highest, his graduation looks to be in jeopardy because of his break from conventional medicine.In my opinion this film ranks in his top ten, most enjoyable.
L**S
a patch more than anything else
As soon as I see a movie advertised with Robin Williams in the lead, I buy it. This film is brilliant. Williams brings his brand of zany humour to most of his movies (e.g. Dead Poets' Society, Good morning Vietnam). Here it is manifested in all its forms, as Patch Adams engages with cancer-ridden patients in his own unorthodox way. Harve Presnel, as the head of the establishment, is sympathetic, whereas Bob Gunton, the head of the medical staff, is nauseating as he was as the warden in 'The Shawshank Redemption'. The only Williams movie to better this is 'Awakenings', where once again the crusading doctor overcomes the establishment to bring to life Robert De Niro and other sundry members of a lunatic asylum. Go out and buy this as well.
M**7
Don't be put off by the front cover!!
This film is absolutely amazing,bought it ages ago with a load of other films but kept putting off watching it because of the front cover (which makes the film look like a daft comedy when its anything but) even though the reviews i read were all very good,finally just watched it and it blew me away,firstly cos its based on a true story but mainly because one man went about wanting to do things the right way and not just following written down doctor guidelines and rules dating back eons but to connect with people rather than calling them patients etc which is basically what the health service has become these days.A remarkable film that shows what people can achieve when sticking to their beliefs,highly recommended!! Patch Adams [DVD] [1999 ]
M**N
that there are good movies out there
brilliant movie