Laughter is the best medicine
Patch Adams is a movie about a man who realizes that laughter can really change a persons’ life, especially terminal patients and sick kids.
In memory of the renowned actor Robin Williams (July 21, 1951 – August 11, 2014), we have decided to review one of his best films for this week’s movie review.
Title: Patch Adams (1998)
Director: Tom Shadyac
Lead Actors: Robin Williams, Daniel Londen, Monica Potter, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama
Brief Synopsis:
Patch Adams is a movie about a man who realizes that laughter can really change a persons’ life, especially terminal patients and sick kids. He believes that patients are more than their diseases; they have names and stories too. The reason for is positive outlook on life is because he went through a bad patch and found himself again, in a mental hospital.
He finds that the path in the mental hospital and decides to spread that joy with other patients in a hospital. He enrolls as a medical student but pretends to be a doctor and visits patients, making them laugh and smile and forget about their pain.
He quotes Dante when he says “In the middle of the journey of my life I found myself in dark wood, for I have lost the right path.”He learnt in the mental hospital that by helping others he could forget his own problems. Humour to heal pain and suffering – in essence that’s what he’s all about.
Trivia:
- This movie is based on a true story.
- During filming, Robin Williams and the rest of the cast and crew, worked closely with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to fulfill the fantasies of several children who were at the time undergoing cancer treatment. The children appeared with Williams in the scene at the pediatric ward.
- The Real Patch Adams is in the scene where the medical school staff returns with the verdict. He sits right behind Robin Williams.
Quotes:
Hunter Patch Adams: “You treat a disease you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you. You’ll win, no matter what the outcome.”
Conclusion: This film will warm your heart and bring tears to your eyes. Watch it with the family on a spring evening. It is a definite must watch! Robin Williams never disappoints.
See below for the trailer of Patch Adams:
