PATCH ADAMS
- PRODUCTION: USA 1998
- DIRECTOR: Tom Shadyac
- STARRING: Robin Williams (Dr Hunter “Patch” Adams), Monica Potter (Carin Fisher), Daniel London (Truman Schiff), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Mitch Roman), Bob Gunton (Dean Walcott), Peter Coyote (Bill Davis)
SYNOPSIS
During a brief stay in a mental hospital, Hunter “Patch” Adams (Robin Williams) learns that empathy and creativity are two of the keys to curing others. Believing that he has to bring this revolutionary message, he decides to study Medicine at Virginia Medical University. Adams’s approach of seeking “to treat the patient as well as the disease” is not appreciated by Dean¹ Walcott (Bob Gunton), a tyrannical believer in scientific objectivity.
Wanting to test his new theories, Adams begins interacting with patients at the university hospital, even though students are not supposed to see patients until their third year. Wearing a clown’s nose and other funny clothes, he brings fun and laughter among the children and surprises into the sad routines of older patients. He even reaches a terminally-ill cancer patient (Peter Coyote), who is terrified of death. The head nurse (Irma P. Hall) believes in what Patch is doing and works along with him.
¹ dean: someone in a university who is in charge of counselling and disciplining students.
Dean Walcott, however, is not impressed. He wants to expel Adams even though this rebel is the best student in the class. Meanwhile, Patch convinces Carin (Monica Potter) and Truman (Daniel London) to join him in creating a free clinic where they can treat patients with love, fun, care and compassion. Even in the face of tragedy, Adams proves to be an idealist.
“You treat a disease,” he argues, “you win or lose. You treat a person, and you always win.”
BEFORE VIEWING
10. Answer the questions.
1. The film is based on a real story. Use the internet to find information about it.
2. Do you know the meaning of the word ‘empathy’?
3. Have you ever heard about ‘Dottor Sorriso’?