The Doctor (film)
| The Doctor | |
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 Theatrical Release Poster |
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| Directed by | Randa Haines |
| Produced by | Laura Ziskin |
| Written by | Edward Rosenbaum (book) Robert Caswell (screenplay) |
| Starring | William Hurt Christine Lahti Elizabeth Perkins Mandy Patinkin Adam Arkin |
| Music by | Michael Convertino |
| Cinematography | John Seale |
| Editing by | Lisa Fruchtman Bruce Green |
| Distributed by | Touchstone Pictures |
| Release date(s) | July 26, 1991 |
| Running time | 122 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $24 million |
| Box office | $38,120,905 (US) |
The Doctor is a 1991 American drama film directed by Randa Haines and starring William Hurt as a doctor who undergoes a transformation in his views about life, illness and human relationships. It is loosely based on the book A Taste Of My Own Medicine.[1]
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[edit] Plot
Dr. Jack MacKee (William Hurt) is a successful surgeon at a leading hospital. He and his wife have all the trappings of success and generally lead a comfortable life, although Jack works such long hours that he rarely has time to see their son and has become somewhat emotionally dead to his wife. His "bedside manner" with his patients, who are in many cases seriously ill, is also quite lacking.
One day while on a drive home from a dinner party, Jack has a coughing fit. His wife is shocked when he coughs up blood particles all over her and the car. In an examination, Jack has a sample of a growth removed from his throat. The biopsy comes back positive for cancer.
He then experiences life as a patient, including how cold and emotionally void hospitals, some doctors, and his own colleagues can be. He begins to empathize with patients, which is a new experience for him. He befriends June Ellis, a fellow cancer patient who has an inoperable brain tumour.
Although Jack's cancer is treated and cured, June dies. The experience changes Jack forever. When he returns to work, he begins to teach his new medical interns about the importance of showing compassion and sensitivity towards their patients, which in turn will make them better doctors.
[edit] Primary cast
- William Hurt: Dr. Jack MacKee
- Christine Lahti: Anne MacKee
- Elizabeth Perkins: June Ellis
- Mandy Patinkin: Dr. Murray Kaplan
- Adam Arkin: Dr. Eli Bloomfield
- Charlie Korsmo: Nicky MacKee
- Wendy Crewson: Dr. Leslie Abbott
[edit] Award (nominations)
- Young Artist Award for Best Family Feature Film - Drama
[edit] References
- ^ Dr. Edward E. Rosenbaum, A Taste Of My Own Medicine: When the Doctor Is the Patient, Random House, 1988. ISBN 978-0394562827
[edit] External links
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