Patch Adams

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Patch Adams

PG-13

1998

1h 55m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

22%

Tomatometer

69 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

After struggling with depression in a mental hospital, Hunter "Patch" Adams decides he wants to become a doctor. He enrolls at Virginia Medical University but is disillusioned by the school's clinical perspective on patient care. With the aid of a wealthy friend, Adams opens his own medical clinic for those without insurance. He forms a deep bond with fellow medical student Carin Fisher before a tragedy causes Adams to re-evaluate his approach.

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Critics Consensus

Syrupy performances and directing make this dramedy all too obvious.

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John Monaghan

Detroit Free Press

01/05/2023

2/4

Only inspires me to steer clear of both hospitals and any movie that casts Robin Williams as a lovable clown.

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Joe Morgenstern

Wall Street Journal

04/02/2019

Like too many of Mr. Williams's recent movies, Patch Adams wastes the genius of a peerless clown.

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Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

04/01/2019

Comics who want to do Hamlet often end up, as here, serving big, sticky slices of ham.

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Sean P. Means

Salt Lake Tribune

01/04/2023

2/4

Patch Adams does serve as a platform for Williams to do what he does best: evoke laughter and wring tears. Even when the movie flatlines, Williams keeps the beat.

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Jonah Koslofsky

The Spool

02/09/2021

Patch Adams is full of shit. I truly can't think of a better way to describe it.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

12/18/2019

1/4

Patch Adams is offensive in the way it trots out every hoary plot device, no matter how improbable, exploitative or downright moronic.

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Trevor G.

@tlgor1 Jun 7

Overall fantastic film

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Robert D

@RT48839342 May 12

This movie was very inspiring and uplifting!!! The critics say too sacaryn sweet. What's the matter with sweet??? The critics are wrong!!! This is a great movie !!! Robin Williams is awesome!!! May he rest in peace forever!!!

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Nicolas J B

@RT23625699 May 5

The critics are completely wrong about this one. Patch Adams is a great movie with a perfect message not just to doctors but to everyone, to just treat people like they are people and not numbers.

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Blue T

@NK2011 Mar 17

The critics are trippin' there's nothing bad about this movie

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CadeandKit R

@CadeandKit Jan 6

Cade's all-time comfort pick: Patch Adams, starring Robin Williams. Cade frames it as the ultimate "chicken noodle soup for the soul" movie... funny, emotional, a little scary in places, and anchored by a big-hearted message about caring for people. Kit goes in excited (Robin Williams + feel-good premise), but ends up having a very different reaction to how the film executes its themes. Their biggest split comes from Patch’s approach to the love story and his "unorthodox" hospital interactions. Cade reads Patch’s persistence as sweet, romantic, and sincere balloons, studying together, slowly winning her over. Kit reads it as a problem: the love interest clearly establishes boundaries early, and Patch continues anyway, which makes her recoil from the romance rather than root for it.

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Jodie M

@Monstersmum Dec 25

Patch Adams wasn't your typical funny Robin Williams movie. It was based on a true story and I personally believe an important message for the medical community. Patients aren't just their disease or condition. They have thoughts and feelings, their humour is still there, maybe hiding deep but it's there. The movie is a feel good movie and yes the acting may be syrupy, but it's still a good movie.

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Tom Shadyac

Director

Robin Williams

Hunter "Patch" Adams

Daniel London

Truman Schiff

Monica Potter

Corrine Fisher

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Mitch Roman

Bob Gunton

Dean Walcott

Patch Adams: Official Clip - Final Appeal

2:59

Patch Adams: Official Clip - You Treat a Person

3:12

Patch Adams: Official Clip - The Children's Ward

2:59

Patch Adams: Official Clip - At Your Cervix

2:59

Patch Adams: Official Clip - I Want to Help People

1:01

Patch Adams: Official Clip - Patch Earns His Nickname

2:46

Patch Adams: Official Clip - Group Therapy

1:42

Patch Adams: Official Clip - To Be a Great Doctor

2:13

Patch Adams: Official Clip - He At Least Listened

1:31

Patch Adams: Official Clip - Revealing Graduation

1:20

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Synopsis

After struggling with depression in a mental hospital, Hunter "Patch" Adams decides he wants to become a doctor. He enrolls at Virginia Medical University but is disillusioned by the school's clinical perspective on patient care. With the aid of a wealthy friend, Adams opens his own medical clinic for those without insurance. He forms a deep bond with fellow medical student Carin Fisher before a tragedy causes Adams to re-evaluate his approach.

Director: Tom Shadyac
Producer: Mike Farrell, Barry Kemp, Marvin Minoff, Charles Newirth
Screenwriter: Steve Oedekerk
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal/Universal Int
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 9, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $135.0M
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)