Do you want to see ‘Patch Adams’?

Patch Adams (1998)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 4/10
Reviews Counted: 56
Fresh: 13 | Rotten: 43

Syrupy performances and directing make this dramedy all too obvious.

Average Rating: 3.8/10
Critic Reviews: 16
Fresh: 4 | Rotten: 12

Syrupy performances and directing make this dramedy all too obvious.

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Average Rating: 3.3/5
User Ratings: 245,902

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Movie Info

The fact-based story of an unconventional physician who attempted to heal patients with laughter, based on his own book and mixing equal doses of scatological humor and pathos. Robin Williams stars as Hunter Adams, a troubled young man who commits himself to a mental institution in the late 1960s. His experiences there convince Adams to become a doctor, and he enrolls in medical school, where he is appalled at the cold, clinical professionalism that alienates patients from their caregivers.

PG-13, 2 min.

Drama, Comedy

Directed By: Tom Shadyac

Written By: Steve Oedekerk

In Theaters: Dec 25, 1998 Wide

On DVD: Jun 22, 1999

Universal Studios

Patch Adams Trailer & Photos

Cast

Robin Williams
Patch Adams
Daniel London
Trumen
Monica Potter
Carin
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Mitch
Bob Gunton
Dean Walcott
Josef Sommer
Dr. Eaton
Irma P. Hall
Joletta
Frances Lee McCain
Judy
Harve Presnell
Dean Anderson
Daniella Kuhn
Adelane
Jake Bowen
Bryan
Peter Coyote
Bill Davis
James Greene
Bile
Michael Jeter
Rudy
Harold Gould
Arthur Mendelson
Richard Kiley
Dr. Titan
Ryan Hurst
Neil

Critic Reviews for Patch Adams

All Critics (76) | Top Critics (23) | Fresh (13) | Rotten (43) | DVD (13)

It extracts tears individually by liposuction, without anesthesia!

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

| Comments (2)

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

Here is the year's least welcome technological advance, the computer-generated butterfly meant to provide a touch of magic for a film that has none of its own.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Janet Maslin

New York Times

Top Critic

A perfectly fine, play-it-safe vehicle for Robin Williams that showcases both his great gift for improvisational comedy and his ability to make a heartfelt connection.

January 1, 2000 Comment

Tom Keogh

Film.com

Top Critic

Unforgivably manipulative and shallow.

December 27, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Indulges to the hilt every obnoxious, hyperactive, oh-what-I-wouldn't-give-for-a-tranquilizer-gun aspect of Robin Williams' performing style.

September 2, 2009 Full Review Source: Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

| Comment

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Has obviously been made for an audience that has never seen a movie before.

August 18, 2007 Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com

| Comment

Rob Gonsalves

eFilmCritic.com

...Formulaic from the word go, with so many trite, overused devices that it could serve as a primer for 'things to avoid when making an original movie.'

February 8, 2003 Full Review Source: Film Quips Online

| Comment

John R. McEwen

Film Quips Online

...infuriating because it divides the world into fun-loving rebels and uptight establishment-types

July 31, 2002 Full Review | Comment

Philip Martin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

The true story of a Virginia medical student who breaks all the rules by daring to proclaim that the best medicine for patients is love, laughter and play.

March 3, 2002 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

| Comments (2)

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

This film wants to be loved so much, it pleads with us to believe its black and white message.

March 12, 2001 Full Review | Comment

Jim Chastain

Norman Transcript

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Audience Reviews for Patch Adams

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Very sad! I loved Robin Williams in this! A must see!

June 24, 2011

Bethany Murphy

Super Reviewer

This isn't a total failure, but it really missed the opportunity to be great. I blame the writing, and maybe the direction. Not sure if Shadyac was a good choice here, but I can't think of who should have done it. I like the cast though. They give some good performances. This isn't Williams at his best, but he's been

June 9, 2006

Chris Weber

Super Reviewer

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Latest News for Patch Adams

November 30, 2011:

The Strangest Patch Adams Lawsuit The World Will Ever See
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December 18, 2006:

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