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:

comedy of manners | female nudity | eccentricity | health | therapy | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jack Nicholson was considered to star as Dr. John Harvey Kellogg.

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Goofs

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

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Quotes

Interviewer: Sir, how often should one evacuate one's bowels?
Dr. John Harvey Kellogg: One should never, ever, interrupt one's desire to defecate. I have inquired at the Bronx and London Zoos as to the daily bowel evacuations of primates. It is not once, twice, or three times, sir, but four. At the end of an average day, their cages are filled with a veritable mountain of natural health.
Interviewer: And, sex?
Dr. John Harvey Kellogg: Sex is the sewer drain of a healthy body, sir! Any use of the sexual act other than procreation is a waste of vital energy! Wasted seeds ...
[...]

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: The Road to Wellville/Silent Fall/Stargate/The Last Seduction/Vanya on 42nd Street (1994)

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Soundtracks

Mississippi Rag
By William Henry Krell (as W.H. Krell)
Arrangement by Harry McLamb
Performed by The San Garden Brass Ensemble

User Reviews

One of the best comedies you'll ever see.

I also can not fathom the low rating. One of only a small handful of comedies that I will watch repeatedly. As other reviewers have said, George young and old is great. It's a superb ensemble though. Hopkins performance as Dr. Kellogg easily rivals Dr. Lecter. For me Cusack's second best work. Colm Meaney's best without a doubt. Camryn Manheim's small but pivotal role always brings on a smile:)

I only gave it 9 stars, but that's because I'm a tough critic. It's a spectacularly good movie. It just isn't at that stratospheric ten level. IE Star Wars IV combined with being seven years old, or Clerks. If you haven't seen it yet, do so.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 October 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Road to Wellville

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 Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1