Patch Adams (1998)

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

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 is a gem in any film collection, it's funny, sad, truthful and a great film. There are twists and turns when everything seems simple and on the right track, and at parts when disaster strikes it can't help but bring tears to your eyes. Patch Adams is a beautiful film, well made, well written and all the actors perform to perfection especially Robin Williams who will make his way into your heart.Overall rating: 8 out of 10.

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

Over here in Holland, it is no secret what this movie has meant to me. For that, I will always cherish this movie.But let's be honest about it. This movie is not a true portrayal of the real Patch Adams. After seeing this movie, I studied the real Patch Adams, wrote to him, met him and spent time with him.The movie is actually nothing more than Robin Williams in a doctor's suit clowning around. Steve Oedekerk wrote the script and Tom Shadyac used that as his bible, not the books and works of the real Patch Adams. Bevause of that, this movie in storyline is Steve Oedekerk's book class about Patch Adams' book 'Gesundheit'. This movie was Tom Shadyac's first 'reality based' comedy, as he said in interviews. Nice try on Shadyac's side. But everybody in this movie is trying too hard. In the role of Patch, Robin Wiliams is funny, clownish and generous when he's feeling good, but over-dramatic and completely rude/anarchy when beaten down or worked against. That's not the real Patch Adams.Patch himself describes his portrayal as a kindergarten version of himself, which I think is the best way to describe the movie version of Patch. Clowning around, having to deal with issues on a personal level is what we see in this movie. No show about Adams' serious and generous side as a worker for world wide peace, politics and a better health care system.In this movie, Robin's Patch is more just Robin Williams performing a one man stand up comedy many times. On the scene with the meat, for example. Or when welcoming the gynaecologists. It's all funny, but actually nothing more than stand up comedy and the relationship with Patch's message about health, commitment, etc. is not present. The movie depicts just brief moments on those matters, like Robin's speech in the sort-of courtroom.In 2012 Patch told me a new movie was in development about him and his extreme wisdom. The late Robin Wiliams would not be in it, which is of course naturally now after his tragic death.Don't get me wrong, this movie is of value for me, I just think they could have done a way better job...

Patch Adams I really liked the movie, it's showing how important it is to do what you believe in. The importance of believing in your self. Sometimes you need to do what others don't believe in, to proof them wrong. And that's what this movie is all about. Do what is right for you as long as it does something good for others to. But it is also showing that the right thing, is not always the happy safe thing to do, because the main character falls in love with a woman from the school, and just when things gets really good between these two, something bad happens to her. It makes him leave the place he built up, because for a moment he can't see how this place can be right and good anymore. I love how the movie shows the effect of a hospital clown, how much happiness it brings to both children and adults! What it takes to help people, that it's more than just the right medication and getting healthy without fever. It's also the mental part, connecting with these people by talking to them, listening to them and show them you really care about them, and not just the physical problems. What this man did for our health care system is magnificent! He changed the way we saw the sick people, and how we need to help them, how happiness can heal a sick person, and make them motivated for changing their lifes. I just really think it's a good movie, you will get a good idea of what has happened in our health care systems, and how the nurses and doctors looked at patience before, and what's changed and how it's changed now. The main character is Robin Williams, and he plays the character so well.