This is based-loosely-on the early medical career of current American physician Patch Adams (Williams). Patch's suicidal depression finds its cure in helping people overcome their illnesses. So Patch goes to medical school. There he learns that medical students have no contact with patients until third year. By that time, if they have done well, they have had the humanity trained out of them in order to turn them into something better: doctors.

Patch takes matters into his own hands. He visits patients between studies (actually, he doesn't seem to study, but tops the class), prescribing and performing the antics they need. Of course, in so doing he takes on the establishment, not to mention a room-mate understandably incensed at Patch's academic results.

But Patch has help-a love interest (Potter) and a dedicated friend. With these and a little larceny, he establishes a free medical clinic in idyllic surroundings, inviting all and sundry to share in the experience. And they do.

Unfortunately, the sundry include a deranged man who kills a clinic staff member, but the movie brushes over the realities of death lightly. The emotions get a squeeze in the hands of a roomful of kids with cancer, but Williams's comic flair soon fixes that. Though not quite as satisfying as What Dreams May Come, Williams's last showcase, the movie is very funny. See it.

Although we originally planned to show "One True Thing" on this date, our distributor later hired it to someone else and cancelled our booking. In its place, we will be screening "The Mod Squad", which was also a popular choice at voting meetings.

Roger Ebert's Review:
http://www.suntimes.com/ebert/ebert_reviews/1999/03/032605.html