Patch Adams

Universal Pictures | Release Date: December 25, 1998

6.6	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 121 Ratings

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User Reviews

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BrianGNov 5, 2005

A very heartwarming movie. Not to mention funny as hell, of course, since Robbin Williams is the main actor. Ignore the ciritics on this one, afterall, it's their job to be critical.

0 of 2 users found this helpful

LukeWAug 1, 2009

VERY underrated excellent movie.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

HarryMay 27, 2007

Nominated for two Golden Globe awards including best Picture (musical or comedy),

0 of 2 users found this helpful

FadeBlackFeb 15, 2017

What a fantastically touching and heartfelt movie. One of Robin's best. I think the negative reviews need to get a bit of what Patch Addams was "afflicted with" - some excessive happiness.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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Tss5078Aug 24, 2014

In arguably one of his best roles, the late Robin Williams portrays Patch Adams, a man who decided to make his life about helping others. Adams believes that patients need to be treated not just for their physical ailments, but also for theirIn arguably one of his best roles, the late Robin Williams portrays Patch Adams, a man who decided to make his life about helping others. Adams believes that patients need to be treated not just for their physical ailments, but also for their emotional well being. He also believes that like freedom of speech, healthcare is an inalienable human right that should be provided to everyone. This is a film that was written specifically for and with the help of Robin Williams. While Adams himself admitted that much of it was inaccurate, the film fulfills it's message, by using an extreme mix of emotion and humor. While watching this film you'll go between tears of laughter and tears of sadness, in a film that will really hit home with a lot of people. This is what Robin Williams was known for, he told his stories and got his messages out, while at the same time entertaining and inspiring people to be the best that they could be. If any other actor had played Patch, it probably would have been a slow moving drama, that just made everyone sad, but Williams made the story one that made you think and it sticks with you. As it recent weeks it has come to light that Williams himself was sick, and this may be the reason he took his own life, I can't help but wonder if on that night, had he watched this film, would the outcome have been different?… Expand

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FilipeNetoFeb 13, 2022

The way people react to difficulties tells us a lot about them. There are those who get hysterical, there are those who care more about others than themselves, there are those who do the exact opposite and there are those who take everythingThe way people react to difficulties tells us a lot about them. There are those who get hysterical, there are those who care more about others than themselves, there are those who do the exact opposite and there are those who take everything calmly and try to act rationally. Illness and death are situations that no one likes to think about... but they are inevitabilities of life, and the way we face them tells us a lot about who we are. Patch Addams is a real-life doctor who advocates the use of joy and humor as part of medical therapy, and I agree with him. Here in Portugal, we even have a popular saying about it: laughs is always the best medicine.

In this film, we see Patch Addams' life course since he was admitted to a psychiatric clinic. The film is eloquent in the way it reveals the resistance of his university, which defended more impersonal methodologies, putting more distance between the doctor and his patient, and in the way it shows the modest beginning of the Gesundheit Institute, founded by Patch according to his view of medicine and medical practice. I don't know if the film was rigorous (I don't think so, since even Patch Addams himself repudiated the way he was portrayed by the film), but the truth is that the script works quite well, balancing between the funny and the sugary, and brings us a topic that makes us think.

I'm glad Robin Williams was chosen as the main character. He was the ideal person to give it a touch of irreverence that manages to kick the comedy to a level of true madness. It's not the actor's best work, but it's in the top ten. In total contrast, we have the characters of Phillip Seymour Hoffmann and Bob Gunton: the first is the model medicine student, studious, serious and committed, but also envious of his irreverent colleague; the second is the dean of the medical faculty, determined to forbid Patch's graduation despite the excellent grades he obtains in the several disciplines. They are cliché characters, quite stereotyped, but they work thanks to the performance of both actors, who give us a job of merit. Monica Potter is less interesting. She's pretty, but the chemistry with Williams is nil and their romance never feels as intense and solid as it should. The rest of the cast does what need to be done, without great notes to highlight.

The film is not a visual or effects show... that is not even desirable here. With such a solid story and good humorous premises, it is the script and actors that should be given the spotlight, and that is precisely what happens. Thus, we have a discreet cinematography that offers us an elegant look, but it does not stand out, with warm tones and good light and sharpness. The costumes and sets are within what we could expect, no surprises, and the filming locations were well-chosen. I especially liked some landscapes, like the mountains where Patch decides to found his hospital. The soundtrack harmonizes with this discreet tonic thanks to an orchestral and smooth sound.… Expand

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collinprocMar 2, 2019

Hilarious, feel good, and sad. It has an amazing meaning. You can't go wrong with this one

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Experiment626Dec 26, 2020

Another great performance by Robin Williams. Amazing the range that Robin Williams was able to cover during his career.

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