The Road to Wellville (1994)

A story about the ins and outs of one unusual health facility in the early twentieth century, run by the eccentric Dr. John Harvey Kellogg.

Director:

Alan Parker

Writers:

T. Coraghessan Boyle (novel), Alan Parker (screenplay)

Stars:

Anthony Hopkins, Bridget Fonda, Matthew Broderick

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anthony Hopkins	...	Dr. John Harvey Kellogg
Bridget Fonda	...	Eleanor Lightbody
Matthew Broderick	...	William Lightbody
John Cusack	...	Charles Ossining
Dana Carvey	...	George Kellogg
Michael Lerner	...	Goodloe Bender
Colm Meaney	...	Dr. Lionel Badger
John Neville	...	Endymion Hart-Jones
Lara Flynn Boyle	...	Ida Muntz
Traci Lind	...	Nurse Irene Graves
Camryn Manheim	...	Virginia Cranehill
Roy Brocksmith	...	Poultney Dab
Norbert Weisser	...	Dr. Spitzvogel
Monica Parker	...	Mrs. Tindermarsh
Jacob Reynolds	...	Young George Kellogg

Storyline

A madcap portrayal of William Lightbody's (Matthew Broderick's) stay at the health farm run by cereal King Dr. John Harvey Kellogg (Sir Anthony Hopkins). William's wife, Eleanor (Bridget Fonda), has persuaded him to go to Kellogg to have his system cleaned of impurities. Kellogg is very unconventional, and almost barbaric in his treatments.

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Plot Keywords:

eccentricity | man wearing glasses | health | therapy | 20th century | 

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Taglines:

A comedy of the heart and other organs.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sex-related humor

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 October 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Aux bons soins du Dr Kellogg

Filming Locations:

North Carolina, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,580,108, 30 October 1994

Gross USA:

$6,562,513

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,562,513

Company Credits

Production Co:

Beacon Communications, Beacon Pictures, Columbia Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Much of the movie was filmed at the Mohonk Mountain House near New Paltz, New York, a Quaker-family-owned hotel, built in stages from 1879 to 1910. It's situated on the Shawangunk Ridge, which is south of the Catskill Mountains.

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Goofs

When Mr. Unpronounceable is dead, you can see him breathing.

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Quotes

Charles: You hooked me like a fish, Bender. You scaled me, you gutted me, you stuffed me and fried me, chewed me up, swallowed me, and shat me out again!

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Connections

Referenced in Action: Blowhard (1999)

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Soundtracks

Laughing Song
Composed by Rachel Portman

User Reviews

Surprised at the ratings!

After seeing a part of the movie for the tenth time or so (this one seems to be playing a lot on one of the satellite movie channels), I figured it was high time to give it a rating. I was very surprised and disappointed to see that it rated so low overall, as I've always enjoyed the movie (over and over again!). I'm beginning to think that the general movie-viewing public has become too generic in their tastes, and don't have an appreciation for throwback oddball comedies such as The Road to Wellville. If that's so, it's a real shame! Ah well, to each their own! As for me, I love the movie's offbeat and subdued humor, with much of the cast greatly contributing to why I'm kept smiling. George (both the youth and adult versions), is especially hilarious-- "Meat and Potatoes!", "Give us a hug", and simply his appearance in both forms. I've always liked John Cusack and Matthew Broderick, so having them together in a movie such as this was a treat. And what a role for Anthony Hopkins-- a far cry from Hannibal Lector! The period nature of the movie was likewise attractive... oh how it would be fun to be able to step back into a setting such as that, though I'll pass on the cleansing processes!