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Patch Adams Details

1998 Certificate 15
  • Rated:
  • 60
  • from 5010 members

Tom Shadyac's (ACE VENTURA) film tells the true story of Hunter "Patch" Adams (Robin Williams), an aspiring doctor in the 1970s who attempted to treat his patients with a medicine that modern science had totally disregarded: humor. After a stint in a mental hospital where he discovers his need to help others, a young Patch .. Read more

Starring Robin Williams, Monica Potter, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robert Gunton
Director Tom Shadyac
Genres Comedy

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Patch Adams

Tom Shadyac's (ACE VENTURA) film tells the true story of Hunter "Patch" Adams (Robin Williams), an aspiring doctor in the 1970s who attempted to treat his patients with a medicine that modern science had totally disregarded: humor. After a stint in a mental hospital where he discovers his need to help others, a young Patch enters medical school. There he develops his own methods of reaching patients as an antidote to the the pomposity he witnesses in his instructors and fellow students. While his patients and fellow staff members appreciate his approach, the powers-that-be frown upon his "unschooled" methods and attempt to prevent him from practicing. Philip Seymour Hoffman (MAGNOLIA) and Monica Potter (ALONG CAME A SPIDER) co-star in this crowd pleaser based on a book by Adams.

Starring Robin Williams, Monica Potter, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robert Gunton, Daniel London, Peter Coyote
Director Tom Shadyac
Studio UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK
Run time DVD: 1 hr 51 mins
Certificate Certificate 15
Genres Comedy
Language DVD: English
Dubbed German
Subtitles DVD: Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, German, Greek, Hebrew, Norwegian, Polish, Swedish
Released DVD: 08 Sep 2003
Production year: 1998
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (3) of Patch Adams

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  • 3 stars out of 5

    Robin Williams is ideally cast in this hospital comedy drama, based on a true story, as an irrepressible spirit whose dream of becoming a doctor is threatened by his inability to conform to medical school dictates and his persistence in relating to patients emotionally. Williams's penchant for playing the clowning do-gooder is indulged by director Tom Shadyac, however, and the pat manipulation of the emotions comes with a dangerously high level of saccharin. But anyone who's ever felt aggrieved by impersonal treatment from the medical establishment will enjoy the system-bucking antics and the sincerity of Patch's mission to treat the people as well as the disease.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • Cloyingly sweet drama that is based on a true story but here bears no resemblance to any reality; it is merely an opportunity for Williams to be alternately manic and misty-eyed.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
    • Posted 02 Mar 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of Patch Adams

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  • 6 out of 8 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Robin at his best

    This is a wonderful film which shows Robin Williams at his best. He excels at this kind of role 'The Awakenings'...'Bicentennial Man'...being a couple of other films Robin is excellent in.

    I love this film because it's based on a true story, you get to see the actual Patch Adams in the DVD extra's which is an added bonus. This is a wonderful family film...sit down on a Sunday night with a big bag of popcorn and a box of tissues.

      • suedee from lancashire
      • Posted 29 Nov 2004 14:05

  • Most recent members' review of Patch Adams

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  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    A difficult film well made

    This film is a very good balance between, on the one hand, the sort of humour and exaggerated expression typical to many of Robin Williams' films like Dead Poets Society and Good Morning Vietnam and, on the other, the somewhat depressing subject matter of terminally-ill patients, some of whom are children.

    Don't watch this because you liked Williams in Good Morning Vietnam and Hook, but do watch it if you liked him in Awakenings.

      • A customer from his PC
      • Posted 11 Apr 2005 21:46

  • News and features

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    Patch Adams

    Williams was never told about Mork & Mindy cancellation

    • 27 Nov 2009

    Comedian Robin Williams refuses to get complacent about his Hollywood success - because he will never forget the moment he found out his TV show Mork & Mindy had been scrapped. The funnyman landed his big break in the late 1970s playing the alien Mork in the sitcom opposite actress Pam Dawber. Bosses at U.S. TV network ABC, which aired the series, cancelled the programme in 1982 - but no one told Williams, and he was devastated when he read about his show's demise in trade paper Daily Variety. Read more

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Rating breakdown

5,010 Member ratings
  • 100
587
  • 90
391
  • 80
753
  • 70
722
  • 60
846
  • 50
462
  • 40
351
  • 30
326
  • 20
379
  • 10
193

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      • Tom Shadyac's (ACE VENTURA) film tells the true story of Hunter "Patch" Adams (Robin Williams), an aspiring doctor in the 1970s who attempted to treat his patients with a medicine that modern science ...