Amazon.com video review:
Patch Adams raises two schools of thought: There are those who
are
inspired by the true story of a troubled man who finds happiness in helping
others--a man set on changing the world and who may well accomplish the
task. And then there are those who feel manipulated by this feel-good
story,
who want to smack the young medical student every time he begins his silly
antics.
Staving off suicidal thoughts, Hunter Adams commits himself into a
psychiatric ward, where he not only garners the nickname "Patch," but learns
the joy in helping others. To this end, he decides to go to medical school,
where he clashes with the staid conventions of the establishment as he
attempts to inject humor and humanity into his treatment of the patients
("We need to start treating the patient as well as the disease," he
declares
throughout the film). Robin Williams, in the title role, is as charming as
ever, although someone should tell him to broaden his range--the
ever-cheerful do-gooder à la Good Will Hunting and Dead Poets
Society is getting a little old. His sidekick Truman (Daniel London)
steals the show with his gawky allure and eyebrows that threaten to
overtake
his lean face--he seems more real, which is odd considering that Patch
Adams
does exist and this film is based on his life. Monica Potter is the coolly
reluctant love interest, and she makes the most of her one-dimensional
part.
While moments of true heartfelt emotion do come through, the major flaw of
this film is that the good guys are just so gosh-darn good and the bad ones
are just big meanies with no character development. Patch Adams,
though, does provide the tears, the giggles, and the kooky folks who will
keep you smiling at the end. --Jenny Brown
