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. 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 stay at the health farm run by cereal king Dr. John Harvey Kellogg. William's wife, Eleanor, 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)

Gross USA:

$6,507,514

Company Credits

Production Co:

Beacon Communications, Beacon Pictures, Columbia Pictures Corporation

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

William Lightbody: You were masturbating!
Dr. Lionel Badger: I was not! I was massaging my colon!
William Lightbody: Massaging your colon! I know where the colon is and it doesn't stick up in the air!

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Connections

Referenced in Raising Hope: Road to Natesville (2014)

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Soundtracks

Silent Night
Music by Franz Xaver Gruber (uncredited)
Arrangement by Rob Turner
Performed by The San String Orchestra

User Reviews

I just can't believe it

I just can't believe the comments I read here. Pure crap? Come on! One of the worst films ever? Pah!

This film is good, well written, well directed, and really funny. What else can I say? It seems like whenever a film with real humour is made by a well-known director, it's viewed as bullsh...! While plain stupid comedies (Pretty Woman etc..) are praised by many, elegant and clever ones like "Road to Welville" are considered as crap... I just can't believe it.

I feel saddened that such a good work is being flamed. Maybe it's because it didn't reach its public... Or that the whole purpose of the film is being missed by the majority of the public... Or that people think Parker should only make serious movies... I don't know.

It's not the first time I'm so deeply amazed by the way a film is perceived by others, but gee...