Patch Adams (Wide Screen) > Reviews > "I love you without knowing how..."

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Good
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Standard
How does it compare to similar films?	Not applicable

Advantages:	Can make you cry
Disadvantages:	Can make you cry again !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Ok this is my first film review, so please be nice and offer any feed back, and I'll try to improve. Argh this already sounds like a homework assignment!

I saw the film Patch Adams all the way through not so long ago. I felt I had to watch it because I saw the end of it ages ago once and it really intrigued me!
Patch Adams is based on a true story, and I can say that this is one of the films that made me laugh and made me cry…

The Story: (out in 1998)
At the start of the film, we see Hunter Adams on his way to a mental institute to commit himself after a failed suicide attempt and being depressed. Here he finds he is able to connect with his fellow patients and help them to feel better after just listening to them and making them laugh. It's here he got his nickname Patch (but I won't tell you how) and realised that he wanted to be a doctor to help people, like he was able to do in the institute, so after insulting his own doctor and telling him he sucks, Patch heads off to the University of Virginia medical school to achieve his ambition.
It is here Patch made his allies, and his enemies. He disagreed with Dean Walcott's speech on how "we're going to ruthlessly drain the humanity out of you and make something better out of you…we're going to make you doctors."
Patch then manages to make himself violently disliked by Walcott and his room mate Mitch because he achieves outstanding grades without needing to open a book, and causes chaos in hospital wards by visiting patients (not allowed tut tut) and simply finding out their names and making them laugh, fulfilling his mission to being humanity back to treating patients.
Patch then went on to form the Gesundheit Clinic to treat patients free of charge and with a little compassion, along with his good friend Truman, and Carin, the emotionally vulnerable medical student who eventually has her heart thawed out by Patch's charms and begins to love him.

Throughout the film, you can' fail to notice the emotion and feelings that are shown in it, and just how important it is to simply make people laugh and just sit down and listen to what they have to say. There are hilariously funny moments, and moments that will make you shed a tear, especially when Patch has to face the tragic consequences resulting from his own faith in people. I know I definately faced a massive range of emotions when watching this! Ladies, you will need the tissues!

So who's in it and where have I seen them before?Robin Williams as Hunter "Patch" Adams:
I think that this is the first film I have seen where Robin Williams plays a more serious character. He brings the true character of Patch Adams to life perfectly, because Williams brings about the perfect balance of humour and comedy, alongside pain, sadness, and being serious. He was perfect for this role, and I don't think there is anyone else who would have produced the same performance of such a high quality.
Film credits:

• One Hour Photo (2002) << another serious role, a very strange thing to see, for me anyway.
• Flubber (1997)
• Mrs Doubtfire (1993)
• Hook(1991)

Bob Gunton as Dean Walcott:
Dean Walcott is the 'baddie' of the film. He regards Patch as someone who shouldn't be allowed at the medical school because he displays "excessive happiness"! Fortunately he gets his comeuppance, and Gunton is great at playing the stuffy, boring doctor who sticks to the rules and refuses to treat patients with compassion, because he believe it's the wrong thing to do, and won't help cure them.
Film credits:

• The Perfect Storm (2000)
• The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
• Demolition Man (1993)

Monica Potter as Carin Fisher:
Now if I'm being totally honest, I hadn't heard of Monica Potter before I saw her in Patch Adams, but she isn't such a well known actress in this film. She does give a moving performance, especially during tender moments with Patch. However she did sometimes come across to me as sometimes being rather wooden and her voice came across as being rather monotonous. But then, this might just be her being true to her character, so I can't really say.
Film credits:

• Saw (2004)
• Along Came A Spider (2001)
• Con Air (1997)

Daniel Hunter as Truman Schiff:
Patch Adams was only Hunter's second film, and I think he did a great job and playing Williams friend and associate in medical school and the Gesundheit clinic, where they share the highs and the lows. He balances well with Williams' acting, especially when portraying humour, and he plays a very likeable character! He is definitely one of the best supporting actors. I find I just want to give him a hug!
Film credits:

• Minority Report (2002)
• Big Trouble (2002)
• Famous (2000)

Philip Seymour Hoffman as Mitch Roman (Patch's room mate)
For about three quarters of the film, we see Mitch as being the boffin roommate who's jealous of Patch's ability to sail through all the exams and is so jealous, he reports him to Dean Walcott. But towards the end, he comes through as an ally who succumbs to Patch's sense of humour and compassion. Hoffman is great for this character, and he shows great depth, and we get the impression there's a lot more to him and his character than meets the eye. A very commendable performance.
Film credits:

• Along Came Polly (2004)
• Red Dragon (2002)
• The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

*The Director*
I'm not really an expert on director's here! I found out that this film was directed by a guy called Tom Shadyac who's done films like Liar Liar and The Nutty Professor. Don't really have any other comments for this bit, except that Tom did a good job!So what did I think?
I could watch this film again and again and again. It's one of those films which kept giving me shivers, because there are some truly emotional moments. Some bits of the film really teach you some lessons about life, like how important and precious life is, and one of the most valuable gifts you can give and receive is just listening to someone; talking to them; and taking the time to get to know them.

Overall:
How good is the film itself? 9/10
How much did I enjoy the film? 10/10!

And a final thought for you, if you think you know the answer, drop me a message…

Hold your hand out in front of you, about 15 inches from your face. Spread your fingers out, and then tuck your thumb into your palm. How many do you see? If you see four, you're thinking too hard. Let your mind wonder, and think about the answer, not the question.
Now look again.