Movies - Patch Adams

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	Movies - Patch Adams

Patch Adams is a 1998 film directed by Tom Shadyac and based on the life of Hunter "Patch" Adams and the book Gesundheit: Good Health is Laughing Matter by Adams and Maureen Mylander. The film was a moderate box-office success, grossing over twice its budget in United States alone.

The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Music, Original Musical or Comedy Score for the score by Marc Shaiman.

The story

The film tells the story of Hunter "Patch" Adams (portrayed by Robin Williams), a medical doctor who became famous for his unconventional approach to medicine. After a suicide attempt, Adams seeks psychiatric help and is institutionalized. During this time he is inspired to become a medical doctor, and discovers that he is able to forget his own problems by helping others. Two years later, he enrolls at Virginia Medical University and is the oldest first year student. He questions the school's approach to medical care, and clashes with the school's dean (played by Bob Gunton) because of his belief in the necessity of personal interaction with patients. Because of this and other incidents, including a prank during a medical conference, he is dismissed from the school, although he is later reinstated.

Adams develops a relationship with a fellow student, Carin Fisher (played by Monica Potter), and develops his idea for a medical clinic built around his philosophy of doctor-patient interaction. With the help of Arthur Mendelson (Harold Gould), whom Patch met while in the mental home, he purchases 105 acres (425,000 m²) in West Virginia to construct the future Gesundheit Institute. Together with Carin, Truman Ship (another medical student, played by Daniel London), and some old friends, he renovates an old cottage. When they get the clinic running they treat walk-in patients without medical insurance. The work costs a lot of energy but it is also motivating to be able to help. Carin is fascinated by Patch's talent and their friendship turns into deep love. More encouraged than ever by Patch and his spirit Carin wants to help a psychologically disturbed patient named Larry by visiting him at home. Larry turns out to be far more disturbed than anybody had expected, and he murders her.

Patch is devastated by Carin's death, and reconsiders his outlook and questions the goodness of humanity. However, he is able to recover and carry on his work.

Dismissed from the school for a second time because he ran a clinic and practiced medicine without a license, he must attend a hearing where it is decided whether he can graduate. Patch is able to convince the jury in a final speech that he did his best to help the people that came to him. In the end the jury accepts Patch's medical methods and does not prevent him from graduating.

Production notes

The film was shot in three locations: Treasure Island, California (near San Francisco), Asheville (North Carolina) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A diner in Point Richmont served as the University Diner. This diner was also used in Mel Gibson's movie Forever Young. The producers worked very closely with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. For this reason all the ill children acting in this film except two really have cancer.

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