Dr. T & the Women (2000)

A wealthy gynecologist's ideal life is thrown into turmoil when the women closest to him begin to affect his life in unexpecting ways.

Director:

Robert Altman

Writer:

Anne Rapp

Stars:

Richard Gere, Helen Hunt, Farrah Fawcett

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Gere	...	Dr. T
Helen Hunt	...	Bree
Farrah Fawcett	...	Kate
Laura Dern	...	Peggy
Shelley Long	...	Carolyn
Tara Reid	...	Connie
Kate Hudson	...	Dee Dee
Liv Tyler	...	Marilyn
Robert Hays	...	Harlan
Matt Malloy	...	Bill
Andy Richter	...	Eli
Lee Grant	...	Dr. Harper
Janine Turner	...	Dorothy Chambliss
Holly Pelham	...	Joanne (as Holly Pelham-Davis)
Jeanne Evans	...	First Exam Patient

Storyline

Dr. Sullivan Travis "Dr. T." is a wealthy Dallas gynecologist for some of the wealthiest women in Texas who finds his idealist life beginning to fall apart starting when his wife, Kate, suffers a nervous breakdown and is committed to the state mental hospital. Dr. T's eldest daughter, Dee Dee, is planning to go through with her approaching wedding despite the secret that she's a lesbian and is romantically involved with Marilyn, the maid of honor. Dr T's youngest daughter, Connie, is a conspiracy theorist freak who has her own agenda to everything, while Dr. T's loyal secretary, Carolyn, has romantic feelings for him, which are not mutual. Dr. T's sister-in-law, Peggy, meddles in every situation she stumbles into, while one woman, Bree, a golf instructor, is the only one who offers him any comfort and salvation.

---

Plot Keywords:

mental hospital | maid of honor | maid | conspiracy theorist | hospital | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for graphic nudity and some sexuality

Details

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English German Spanish

Release Date:

13 October 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dr. T and the Women

Filming Locations:

Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden - 8617 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$23,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,012,867, 15 October 2000, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$13,113,041, 18 January 2001

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$22,844,291, 18 January 2001

Company Credits

Production Co:

Artisan Entertainment, Sandcastle 5 Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the four films that received an "F" CinemaScore from audiences upon their release in 2000, along with Eye of the Beholder (1999), Lost Souls (2000) and Lucky Numbers (2000).

---

Goofs

A "Dallas Ambulance" is called to Dr. T's office. Dallas Ambulance is a private ambulance company that is chartered for special events. If 911 were called, an ambulance from the Dallas Fire Department would arrive.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
First Exam Patient: Whoo. So uh, so Dr T, I, uh, I hear your wife's sister moved back in with you a few days ago. Is that true?
Dr. Sullivan "Sully" Travis, "Dr. T": Yes it is. Peggy and three kids.
Dr. T's Staff: I'm sorry.
First Exam Patient: Uh, what is your wife's name?
Dr. Sullivan "Sully" Travis, "Dr. T": Kate.
First Exam Patient: Kate. Yes of course, Kate. Oh. And your wife's sister's name is?
Dr. Sullivan "Sully" Travis, "Dr. T": Peggy.
First Exam Patient: Peggy, Peggy, yes, Peggy. So uh how many children does Peggy have now?
Dr. Sullivan "Sully" Travis, "Dr. T": She has three.
[...]

---

Crazy Credits

In the opening credits, actors have their names appear in a plain sans serif font while actress have their names appear in a flowing script font.

---

Connections

Referenced in Family Guy: Mother Tucker (2006)

---

Soundtracks

You've Been So Good Up to Now
(1992)
Composed by Lyle Lovett
Performed by Lyle Lovett
Published by Michael H. Goldsen Inc./Lyle Lovett
Courtesy of MCA Records/Curb Music Co.
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Hit and miss Altman, but some master touches

Like much of Robert Altman's work, this is a hit and miss movie, but worth seeing for some good performances, several genuinely funny scenes, and some of the master's typical ensemble sequences with all hell breaking loose while everybody talks at once! It is probably unhelpful to approach it as though it was a full-blooded satire on wealthy Texas women. For a start, the target is too easy - like the floating and walking birds Dr T and his buddies seem to think it's fair to shoot at - and in any case the focus of the film is not the Women of the title, but Dr T.

Richard Gere gives a typically charming and understated, performance as Dr T (for Travis), who is surrounded by women whom he likes and respects in private life, and cares for in his professional life as a gynecologist, but no more understands than most men. Farrah Fawcett gives a touching portrayal as his wife, who retreats into childhood to escape his smothering affection. Helen Hunt, as an independently-minded, intelligent golf pro, provides a refreshing change - both for Dr T and the audience - from the empty-headed shopaholics who people much of the movie. Laura Dern, Kate Hudson and Shelley Long sparkle as, respectively, Dr T's sister-in-law, daughter and receptionist. (As we might expect from Altman, the city of Dallas also plays a leading role; and the best casting is definitely that of Eric Ryan as the "birth baby"; Eric enters the IMDb actors data base at the tender age of zero!)

This is a long way from the vintage Altman of Mash, Nashville and The Player; but is still richer than most Hollywood fare.