Patch Adams (UK)

Introduction
Reasons for buying this DVD? A combination of Robin Williams, cheapness, and the comedy angle.

I wasn`t sure if maybe I`d stumpled on a little known gem, or a stinker. Robin Williams is a fairly big name, and has undoubted talent, but for me sometimes he misses. Not a huge miss, its usually entertaining enough, but not quite what I would hope for.
Lets see...
[list]
[*] Mrs Doubtfire - worked for me
[*] Bicentennial Man - good performance, didn`t like the film due to the departure from the novel.
[*] Jumanji - so so
[*] Dead Poets society - good performance, didn`t like the film.
[*] Good Morning Vietnam - worked for me.
[/list]
So - how did this work out?

The Plot
The plot follows a true life story, a Doctor called Hunter "Patch" Adams. He starts out in a mental institution as a patient, where he discovers the healing power of humour.

With this new found faith, he enters medical school, but finds he is up against the establishment.
Medicine should be done the way they want you to do it, and this does not include meeting patients or interacting with them for several years.

He has his own ideas, and talks his way onto the wards to bring amusement and joy to the patients despite their sometimes terminal problems.
He has a number of run ins with the school, who do not like his unconventional approach, despite doing very well at his studies.

There is also tragedy along the way, and some touching moments

The Cast
Robin Williams is the only name I recognise and he does a good job as the wacky doctor. A good job, but not a great job is how I think I`d characterise it. Nothing I can complain about, but nothing too memorable either.

The Visuals/Audio
Nothing remarkable about either visuals or audio. A 5.1 sounds track, but its a dialogue movie.

The Extras
We get a few extras

A making of, that is interesting as the real Patch Adams appears in it, looking, I have to say, appropriately whacky. Would I want to be treated my a doctor like him... hmmmmm. Call me boring and middle class but I think I prefer my doctors a little less bright, and ear-ring bedecked. Anyway - not a bad extra.

Out-takes - some mildly amusing outtakes from the film.

Commentary - I can`t say I`ve listened to this.

Some other bits and pieces of less significance.

Summary
Its a feel good movie, with one or two feel bad moments. Worth a watch, but might be better rented.