Patch Adams (1998)

The true story of a heroic man, Hunter "Patch" Adams, determined to become a medical doctor because he enjoys helping people. He ventured where no doctor had ventured before, using humour and pathos.

Director:

Tom Shadyac

Writers:

Patch Adams (book) (as Hunter Doherty Adams), Maureen Mylander (book)

Stars:

Robin Williams, Daniel London, Monica Potter

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robin Williams	...	Patch Adams
Daniel London	...	Truman
Monica Potter	...	Carin
Philip Seymour Hoffman	...	Mitch
Bob Gunton	...	Dean Walcott
Josef Sommer	...	Dr. Eaton
Irma P. Hall	...	Joletta
Frances Lee McCain	...	Judy
Harve Presnell	...	Dean Anderson
Daniella Kuhn	...	Adelane
Peter Coyote	...	Bill Davis
James Greene	...	Bile
Michael Jeter	...	Rudy
Harold Gould	...	Arthur Mendelson
Bruce Bohne	...	Trevor Beene

Storyline

Patch Adams is determined to become a medical doctor because he enjoys helping people. Unfortunately, the medical and scientific community does not appreciate his methods of healing the sick, while the actual patients, medical professors, and hospital nurses all appreciate the work *he* can do, because they are unable to do it.

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | man wears eyeglasses | doctor | hospital | nurse | 

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Taglines:

Laughter is contagious.

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some strong language and crude humor

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filmed partially at the University of North Carolina. Robin Williams did stand up comedy for some classes that were in session while filming.

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Goofs

When Patch tells Dean Walcott he wants to see his records, the Dean replies that they are confidential. As Patch walks out, the Dean has his head down, he is writing and his left arm on the desk, before he lifts his head, moves both his arms and prepares to get out of his chair. However, when the Dean says "Only the staff...", he is still writing and his left arm is back on the desk, before he stands up.

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Quotes

Hunter Patch Adams: I wanted to become a doctor so I could serve others. And because of that, I've lost everything. But I've also gained everything.

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Crazy Credits

The Blue Wolf Productions logo after the end credits features a wolf looking to its left.

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Connections

Referenced in Saturday Night Live: Jonah Hill/The Shins (2012)

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Soundtracks

Let It Rain
Written by Eric Clapton and Bonnie Bramlett
Performed by Eric Clapton
Courtesy of PolyGram International Music B.V.
By Arrangement with PolyGram Film & TV Music

User Reviews

Not as easy as you think

I have to applaud both the real Patch Adams and the late Robin Williams for bringing his story to the screen for us. I really identified with the character, but that kind of approach to your job has its pitfalls.

Back in my working days at Crime Vicims Board in New York State I thought as did Patch Adams not to just take a bureaucratic approach to helping victims at a crisis point in their lives. Think of them as human beings and not just claimants. It was rewarding, it put me at odds with some of my colleagues and supervisors.

That kind of approach can also take its toll mentally on the individual. For any number of reasons I was glad to take an early retirement.

But I didn't have nearly the educational requirements to enter that profession. And getting too much involved could make you a basket case. Look at how on MASH those doctors deal with the hell of war and the absurdities of their situation. How much more so with someone who already had mental health issues?

Saying all that Patch Adams is a remarkable man and Robin Williams did a remarkable biographical film about him. Fictionalized a bit, but I think he got the right spirit for the part. Some other good performances are that of Carol Potter as the love interest, Daniel London as Williams's medical sidekick and Michael Jeter as the mental patient who awakens Patch Adams to his new approach to healing.

Patch Adams got one Oscar nomination for musical scoring. Should have rated a couple of others including one for Williams.

A fine film about an interesting man.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Patch Adams

Filming Locations:

Asheville, North Carolina, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$90,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$25,262,280, 27 December 1998

Gross USA:

$135,026,902

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$202,292,902

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Blue Wolf Productions, Farrell/Minoff

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1