Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pagePatch Adams (1998)
Director: Tom Shadyac
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
This slushy comedy drama, set in 1969, tells the 'true story' of misfit Hunter Doherty Adams who, having spent time in a mental home, enlists in medical school and proceeds to shake up the US medical system by being his 'excessively happy' self. He cheers up terminally ill kids by wearing an enema bulb on his nose. The film is all about the healing qualities of laughter and generally getting on an equal level with others. Admirable, of course - except, this being a Williams vehicle, there's also an overdose of sentimental claptrap, underscored by Marc Shaiman's clichéd string arrangements.Author: DA
Cast & crew
Director: Tom Shadyac
Producer: Barry Kemp, Mike Farrell, Marvin Minoff, Charles Newirth
Cast: Robin Williams, Monica Potter, Daniel London, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bob Gunton, Josef Sommer, Harve Presnell, Peter Coyote full cast
Duration: 115 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
London Children's Film Festival
Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'
Dave Calhoun met with Michael Haneke in Munich to mull over the details of his Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now