"Patch Adams" is a wonderful film full of emotion, empathy and compassion for everyday human life. Some find this movie cliched, and the humour forced but it's not, because it is reality. The movie stars Robin Williams as the title character, the movie "Patch Adams" is based on the real life story of Dr. Hunter Adams. And that fact makes this movie even more special and compelling.

The movie opens with Hunter Adams committing himself to a mental hospital because he tried to commit suicide. He had done this because his life had lacked direction. He couldn't find what he wanted or where he wanted to go in life. That is, until he started looking past himself and when he started to look at others. Thus, he soon decides what he wants to do with his life - he wants to become a doctor - to help people, and to bring happiness and compassion into people's lives.

And now, he calls himself ‘Patch.'

He makes it into medical school, but finds that he wants more. He is very bright and brilliant, and is able to learn the rules and procedures of medical practice with ease. But ‘Patch' challenges the way medicine is practiced, he wants it to be more open, where the doctors are a patient's equal - their friend and company during their time of greatest need. Of course, this goes against the very core of medical practice, and ‘Patch' does ruffle feathers and his goal of becoming a licensed doctor is constantly threatened and challenged.

But he does have his supporters, and through his great well of personal strength and power he relentlessly pursues his goal of becoming a doctor. And, along the way, he meets friends and future colleagues. One of them becomes a love interest, someone who slowly comes to believe in Patch's aspirations and who joins him in his pursuit of his ideals. Unfortunately, their path is not an easy one, and his pursuit does lead to heart wrenching tragedy.

"Patch Adams" is a wonderful movie and showcases Robin Williams in one of his best performances since "Good Morning Vietnam." Here, director Steve Oederick has been able to capture and finely showcase Williams' comedic and dramatic abilities, without relying on Williams' stand up shtick, rather building on Williams' bottomless pit of energy. Oederick also creates a lovely, gentle but sometimes hostile atmosphere in the film through the use of his visuals.

"Patch Adams" uses all of it's storytelling techniques to good effect, and doesn't take advantage of our emotions or feelings. Instead, it plays on basic human truths and uses them as the basis and power of its story. Perhaps the only thing I can complain about is the musical score, which at times should have been better left silent, instead of as an emotional reminder to the audience. But even that is more subtle than I've made it sound here. Mostly because, overall, "Patch Adams" made me laugh and cry. But, more importantly, "Patch Adams" made me think about and remember to respect my fellow human beings.

And it also reminded me that there is really nothing wrong with being "excessively happy."

Grade: A-

(Originally reviewed on December 12, 1998)



Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older