The Doctor
by Randa Haines
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DVD details
Actor: Adam Arkin, Christine Lahti, Elizabeth Perkins, Mandy Patinkin, William HurtDirector: Randa Haines
Brand: Buena Vista Home Video
Cinematographer: John Seale
Editor: Bruce Green
Producer: Edward S. Feldman
Producer: Laura Ziskin
Producer: Michael S. Glick
Writer: Ed Rosenbaum
Writer: Robert Caswell
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language); French (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 122 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-04-06
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Product features:
- Condition: Used, Very Good
- Format: DVD
- Closed-captioned; Color; DVD; NTSC
DVD Reviews of The Doctor
DVD Review: Must viewing...
Summary: 5 Stars
Every now and then, I will see a film 10 to 20 years old that I have never even heard of, for the first time. And I will immediately fall in love with it, and have it instantly enter my top 100 (at least) list of favorite movies of all time. After initially viewing this, and coming away with such a favorable opinion, the way I tell if a movie is really as great as I thought upon first seeing it, is that I'm compelled to watch it again, and again, in a short period of time. So it was with "The Doctor," which I saw on cable on-demand, and which I can't really recommend enough. Especially to ANYONE involved in our so-called "health industries." And to all the truly great (or could be) "doctors" out there whose main concerns are "empathy" and "ethics," as far as how they think of, treat, and relate to their "patients." But essentially, I'd hope almost anyone could get something very deep, important, and meaningful from these proceedings.
Only recently, while I was perusing through various on-demand films and their descriptions, did I find the time to watch this movie. Within a few days, I had watched it several times, and confirmed my original opinion. This is a GREAT movie, from beginning to end. In fact, it should be REQUIRED viewing for anyone involved in the American "medical professions," even and especially nowadays, almost 20 years after this film was first made. In that way, it is kind of like "Patch Adams" in my view. But unlike that movie, this one, again based upon a true story, takes place in and around hospitals, not at a medical school. And while there is humor here, even if many times it is dark, I'd have to put this way ahead of the Robin Williams' vehicle, which unlike most critics and viewers, I also loved.
Despite being nearly 20 years old, this film speaks to very timely events and debates ongoing vigorously these modern days. Not only in the social and political realm of many folk's belief that basic health care should be looked upon as a RIGHT not a PRIVILEGE (my own view), but in how screwed up this seemingly "best health care system in the world" was, and still is, so many years later. And how it fails not only the poor (and uninsured), but can also disappoint even wealthy doctors and surgeons, who any day could, can, and do find themselves suddenly a "patient." Indeed, it is this idea of a rather cold and aloof and unsympathetic, "doctor" getting a view from the other side (that of a patient) and how it transforms his perspective into a much more humanistic and understanding point of view, which is this film's ultimate charm and importance.
There is a definite reason above all possible others, why this movie gets a virtually unanimous 5 star rating on Amazon and which I am happy to add my humble 2 cents review to the general consensus. This flick is just plain wonderful, with unexpected and humorous/poignant moments all along, and is believable throughout. The script, direction, acting, production values, and music, are all top notch. It is extremely interesting and compelling from minute one to the end credits, and I think only someone against a total overhaul of the USA's present health care structure, with the patient coming first and foremost (which hasn't existed for far too long), might not "get" this.
Unfortunately, for now, it's sad that the very concept of decent, universal and affordable (if not outright free) health care coverage for all, seems to escape most of the right-wing, "Christian conservative," republican "minority" in D.C., and on the airwaves (especially radio). And all the people out there who've apparently fallen prey to their lies and resulting irrational and untenable appeals to fears unfounded. I suggest this film to this latter group most, even if it may fly way above their heads, and materialistic/capitalist spirit. Because in my opinion, most if not all of them need to see this more than any anyone else. Although realistically, I think most of these wingnuts may be beyond redemption in their thinking, and in essence, their very humanity, I hope. I hope I am wrong about this, but real health reform as I write this, seems an almost impossible dream, due mainly I think to the continually effective "sales" disinformation campaign waged for decades by the big pharma's and their lobbies and their ilk, and those goshdarn wonderful FOR-PROFIT "insurance companies" and "hospitals" out there. If such thinking is the disease of logic and empathy I believe it to be, I wish this movie, could at least open closed minds, be part of the cure, and would turn the needed popular tide in the, in point of fact, one-sided "health care debate" this sadly, still topical film deals with.
Based upon the true story, autobiographical book "A Taste Of My Own Medicine," by Edward Rosenbaum, M.D., William Hurt gives an astonishing portrayal of our main protagonist, "Jack." His transformation from arrogant "doctor" to unpretentious and enlightened "patient," though a bit slow in coming, is really convincing. Christine Lahti as his long-suffering wife, "Anne," is excellent as well. But the real star here is the never-disappointing Elizabeth Perkins as the cancer patient whose experiences and plight help teach Dr. Jack an invaluable and eternal lesson. Various people Jack meets along the way, are all finely played and very believable as well. As is this almost unbelievably true story, and this brilliant film adaptation.
This is must viewing for anyone who has been on either the "doctor" (or health care worker) side, and/or as well the "patient" side. The first group will certainly learn something from this if they haven't already learned it in their profession. The second group, "patients," or in other words, most of us eventually, we, the majority, the great unwashed masses personally familiar with the corrupt and discriminatory way the whole system can really operate (no pun intended), will only find a confirmation of their experiences, as I did my own in addition to those of loved ones and friends over the years and to this day. For everyone though, actually, I can boil down the way I feel about this moving, political, but at the same time almost "spiritually" humanist and completely satisfying viewing experience, in two words.
Must viewing...
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