Patch Adams, 1998

Patch Adams, 1998
Director: Tom Shadyac
Cast: Robin Williams, Daniel London, Monica Potter



Stage: Home TV, late night selection


Patch in short: Patch Adams is determined to become a medical doctor because he enjoys helping people. Unfortunately, the medical and scientific community does not appreciate his methods of healing the sick, while the actual patients, medical professors, and hospital nurses all appreciate the work *he* can do, because they are unable to do it.


Preps: Home, nothing more important to do. I have seen this several times and love Williams in this role


Reality: How much is our life worth to a bunch of degrees in medicine? I mean the board you trust your health to, when you are in the hospital. Do you ever wonder how they are trained and if the right persons got the job? In Slovenia, medical university is one of the most demanding ones (if you dragged a poll of this, you would surely get the feeling it's the most demanding one and not just among those). Compared to an average study (in years), it takes twice the effort, and after that you get a job in a place you never heard of, etc.
Patch Adams sees other alternatives, challenges the ways medicine has always been taught the doctrine itself and the ways to address the patients. He reminds us that the patients are human beings and makes us filled with faith that most of the doctors in the world have seen this and will make it their way.
Enough with vain expectations. The hospital the piece is showing, is a surreality. No way in this world, with the existing politics, bribaries, governments.. this couldn't happen in my opinion, even though I am a strong supporter of all the systems that could work like this. The movie shows the good sides as well as the downsides. It is a good thing it doesn't demolish the image of the existing system, because we need it and I believe it also brings good with all the bad, that is exposed in this piece. Patch Adams challenges everything and almost gets expelled, which leaves the viewer with fulfilled expectations. In sense, that Adams is fighting for a greater cause, for something the complete medical section has forgotten in long years of training. Sometimes people need talk and compassion, instead of high medicine. And if they need high medicine, it should be delivered professionally, which means, with soul. This is a part of training that was left behind because all the obstacles medical world is facing. I believe it's beneficial for both parties to see the piece. The medical staff, as well as the patients. To understand and maybe build a bridge somewhere inbetween.
The movie will touch your soul and won't leave you empty. It could make you cry, because it gets deep within your soul, especially with the death of the only student that gets in Adams's skin, despite her true dedication. Lovely scenes, lovely scenario. A sight to see, especially if you are in a romantic spirit.


My personal rating: 8,5 (this piece came to my heart every time I watched it. Bullet point. )


Patch Adams on IMDB