# Patch Adams (1998)

### reviewed by
Christopher Null

                                  PATCH ADAMS
                          A film review by Bradley Null
                           Copyright 1999 Bradley Null

Ironically, what I was most excited about seeing in PATCH ADAMS is what eventually left me feeling cheated by it in the end. After seeing the trailers, I knew I was going to get Robin Williams playing that lovably sensitive, extremely funny man, that shows people there's more to life. You know, the guy from DEAD POETS SOCIETY and GOOD WILL HUNTING. I love that guy; probably because he had truly inspired me before. And things were going so well for the first two-thirds of this movie too. Until it was over and I thought to myself, "Wait, I think I've seen this movie before."

In the end, my impression of PATCH ADAMS is that is has some really funny scenes, and you can't help but fall in love with the guy when he's doing all of these great things, a lot of which you have probably seen in the trailers. And he has a lot to teach everyone he comes into contact with in the film. So throughout I'm thinking, "What a great guy; I wish I was more like him." Which is always a good set-up. But it never follows through. The dramatic conclusion falls flat, and based on a true story or not, the plot points are a bit cliched. PATCH ADAMS is a comedy, but more appropriately it would be classified as an inspirational film. And the hallmark of the inspirational film is that climactic scene at the end where the inspirational character takes a stand and is met by stiff consequences, but ultimately we realize that he made a difference. You see it in DEAD POETS SOCIETY in the "Oh Captain, my captain" scene. In PATCH ADAMS though, it never comes. Though Patch does take an emotional stand at the end in a scene that tries to steal the emotion of a film like DEAD POETS SOCIETY, I don't know that we're convinced that he truly made a difference. He is a great guy, yes, but maybe not great enough.

    RATING:  ***

    |------------------------------|
     \ ***** Perfection             \
      \ **** Good, memorable film    \
       \ *** Average, hits and misses \
        \ ** Sub-par on many levels    \
         \ * Unquestionably awful       \
          |------------------------------|

    MPAA Rating: PG-13

Director: Tom Shadyac Producer: Barry Kemp, Mike Farrell, Marvin Minoff, Charles Newirth Writer: Steve Oedekerk Starring: Robin Williams, Monica Potter, Daniel London

    http://www.patchadams.com

Christopher Null - null@sirius.com - Writer and Script Consultant Check out The Movie Emporium's new design at http://www.filmcritic.com

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