Barnes & Noble

While Robin Williams has demonstrated an almost preternatural ability to sublimate his well-established comic persona when essaying dramatic roles, the thoroughly enjoyable Patch Adams is one of those rare movies that allows him to play a memorable character who's alternately silly and solemn. He's perfectly cast as real-life doctor Hunter "Patch" Adams, the sawbones with a smile. Patch believes heartily in the healing power of humor, which he dispenses regularly to patients over the objections of a staid, established medical establishment (personified by one of Patch's dour instructors, played by prolific, talented character actor Daniel London). Monica Potter registers strongly as a skeptical fellow student eventually won over by Patch's unusual approach to medicine. Director Tom Shadyac (Ace Ventura: Pet Detective) rates high marks for deftly combining slower, dramatically potent scenes with those relying on fast-paced improvisational comedy. Frequently sidesplitting, but also profoundly moving in spots, Patch Adams provides a dazzling showcase for one of the screen's most popular and innovative stars. The two-disc "Ultimate Edition" provides the feature in both wide-screen and full-frame configurations, along with commentary by Shadyac, deleted scenes, outtakes, a photo gallery, storyboard-to-scene comparisons, a making-of featurette, production notes, cast-crew biographies, behind-the-scenes footage, and a documentary, "The Medicinal Value of Laughter." Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

The fact-based story of an unconventional physician who attempted to heal patients with laughter, based on his own book and mixing equal doses of scatological humor and pathos. Robin Williams stars as Hunter Adams, a troubled young man who commits himself to a mental institution in the late 1960s. His experiences there convince Adams to become a doctor, and he enrolls in medical school, where he is appalled at the cold, clinical professionalism that alienates patients from their caregivers. Determined to provide emotional and spiritual relief as well as medicine, Adams clowns around for his patients, getting to know them personally. Although his efforts seem to work wonders and the hospital nursing staff is grateful for the levity Adams provides, his methods alienate his uptight roommate Mitch (Philip Seymour Hoffman) as well as the staff and faculty of his school. Adams perseveres, however, even starting his own low-cost rural clinic called the Gesundheit Institute, and wooing a pretty fellow student, Carin (Monica Potter). Tragedy strikes, and Adams' career is put in jeopardy, forcing him to defend his style and philosophy before a board of jurists determined to bar him from practicing medicine. Patch Adams (1998) was produced by former M*A*S*H (1972-83) star Mike Farrell, who met the real-life Adams when the offbeat doctor served as an advisor to the actor's popular TV series. Karl Williams

Product Details

• UPC: 025192127823
• Source: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
• Region Code: 1
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: 5.0
• Language: English
• Time: 1:56:00
• Sales Rank: 3,165

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• Patch Adams / What Dreams May Come

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