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The Doctor Reviews

1991 Certificate 12
  • Rated:
  • 60
  • from 198 members

A heart surgeon gets to experience firsthand exactly the kind of treatment that his patients receive... Read more

Starring William Hurt, Christine Lahti, Elizabeth Perkins
Director Randa Haines
Genres Drama

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  • Critics' reviews (3) of The Doctor

    View all
  • 4 stars out of 5

    William Hurt stars as a glib, egotistical doctor who's forced to re-appraise his life when he's diagnosed as suffering from cancer. When the tables are turned and he becomes a patient, he begins to realise the shortcomings of his profession. As moral issues come under the microscope (a rare enough event in Hollywood), Hurt makes a credible transition from blunt medical hard-nut to “born again” doctor with a conscience, and the probing script and first-class performances (from Hurt and Elizabeth Perkins as a fellow patient) prevent this harrowing drama from becoming an empty exercise in Hollywood schmaltz.

    • Radio Times
  • Reunited five years after Children of a Lesser God, Haines and Hurt are trapped here by a trite, predictable script.... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out
  • 2 stars out of 4

    Well-made drama of personal redemption.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
  • Most helpful members' reviews (3) of The Doctor

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  • 4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    must see

    A brilliant movie that explores the emotions and commitments some doctors make to medicine at the expense of their own personal life. The importance of good communication and compassion both in the work place and at home. Shows how our experiences can be used to improve us both on a personal and professional level. A lovely and informative movie if one can look deeper and reflect on the content.

      • A customer from Sussex
  • 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    A doctor sees the other side of the coin

    I only chose this film as it was recommended to me by fellow medical professionals (i am a medical student). It is a film that shows 'us' as medical professionals, empathy towards our patients. For this it definitely fulfilled its purpose.

    Good film, but i wouldn't recommend it to everybody.

      • A customer from Birmingham, England
  • Rated - 4 stars

    Good viewing

    Good film, good acting. Would be good for everyone to swap their roles occasionally to appreciate the other side.

      • A customer from Bristol
  • Most recent members' reviews (2) of The Doctor

    View all
  • 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    A doctor sees the other side of the coin

    I only chose this film as it was recommended to me by fellow medical professionals (i am a medical student). It is a film that shows 'us' as medical professionals, empathy towards our patients. For this it definitely fulfilled its purpose.

    Good film, but i wouldn't recommend it to everybody.

      • A customer from Birmingham, England
  • Rated - 4 stars

    THE DOCTOR

    Wow. I absolutely loved this.

    Heartless Doctor becomes Patient and then becomes caring Doctor.

    Excellent performances from all concerned.

      • A customer from Bristol
  • 4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    must see

    A brilliant movie that explores the emotions and commitments some doctors make to medicine at the expense of their own personal life. The importance of good communication and compassion both in the work place and at home. Shows how our experiences can be used to improve us both on a personal and professional level. A lovely and informative movie if one can look deeper and reflect on the content.

      • A customer from Sussex
  • 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    A doctor sees the other side of the coin

    I only chose this film as it was recommended to me by fellow medical professionals (i am a medical student). It is a film that shows 'us' as medical professionals, empathy towards our patients. For this it definitely fulfilled its purpose.

    Good film, but i wouldn't recommend it to everybody.

      • A customer from Birmingham, England
  • Rated - 4 stars

    Good viewing

    Good film, good acting. Would be good for everyone to swap their roles occasionally to appreciate the other side.

      • A customer from Bristol
  • Rated - 4 stars

    THE DOCTOR

    Wow. I absolutely loved this.

    Heartless Doctor becomes Patient and then becomes caring Doctor.

    Excellent performances from all concerned.

      • A customer from Bristol
  • Critics' reviews (3)

  • 4 stars out of 5

    William Hurt stars as a glib, egotistical doctor who's forced to re-appraise his life when he's diagnosed as suffering from cancer. When the tables are turned and he becomes a patient, he begins to realise the shortcomings of his profession. As moral issues come under the microscope (a rare enough event in Hollywood), Hurt makes a credible transition from blunt medical hard-nut to “born again” doctor with a conscience, and the probing script and first-class performances (from Hurt and Elizabeth Perkins as a fellow patient) prevent this harrowing drama from becoming an empty exercise in Hollywood schmaltz.

    • Radio Times
  • Reunited five years after Children of a Lesser God, Haines and Hurt are trapped here by a trite, predictable script.... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out
  • 2 stars out of 4

    Well-made drama of personal redemption.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide

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    • A heart surgeon gets to experience firsthand exactly the kind of treatment that his patients receive......

Rating breakdown

198 Member ratings
  • 100
16
  • 90
14
  • 80
35
  • 70
38
  • 60
33
  • 50
24
  • 40
14
  • 30
9
  • 20
11
  • 10
4

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