Patch Adams (1998)

Genre: Comedy / Drama / Biographical

Directed by: Tom Shadyac

Starring: Robin Williams, Monica Potter, Philip Seymour Hoffman

Running time: 115 minutes

This 1998 film is based on the life story and the beliefs of Hunter “Patch” Adams. Feeling suicidal, Adams commits himself to a mental hospital. Gaining back his will to live with a raising desire to help other people, Adams decides to go back to school to become a doctor. Patch’s approach to medicine goes against the grain of the establishment, but the aspiring doctor persists, because he believes that, by showing more compassion towards patients and making them laugh, we can better help them. Patch Adams goes on to build his own clinic, with the purpose of offering healthcare services that better reflect his personal views on the matter.

Patch Adams, the movie, was widely criticized in the various reviews. It is indeed sweet, almost to a fault. The purpose here is to jerk the tears out of you, and it is being done with force. Nonetheless, for some reason, while other similar movies would have gotten on my nerves, I found this one charming. Maybe it is Robin Williams, of whom I have always been a fan, who salvaged it for me. Though the late comedian playing a man who pulled himself out of his own depression by making others laugh is a tad creepy in retrospect. It was also always a treat to see Philip Seymour Hoffman on screen, even in a smaller role.

Even the real Hunter Adams spoke against this film, saying it simplified his life’s work and made him to be nothing more than a funny doctor. I can certainly understand why a man so passionate about what he has done would feel that way.

Patch Adams is a guilty pleasure of mine. It severely lacks subtlety in its delivery and the sweetness level is heavy, but I like it still. Might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is a very cute feel-good movie. As somewhat of a clown, I could see a bit of myself in that desire to help others through laughter.

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