The Doctor (1991)
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85% of critics liked it
(13 reviews) -
67% of users liked it
(3,198 ratings)
A doctor finds out the hard way that there's more to medicine than skill in the operating theater in this emotional drama. Jack McKee (William Hurt) is a gifted but arrogant surgeon who cares little about the emotional welfare of his patients and is little more than a benign stranger to his wife… More A doctor finds out the hard way that there's more to medicine than skill in the operating theater in this emotional drama. Jack McKee (William Hurt) is a gifted but arrogant surgeon who cares little about the emotional welfare of his patients and is little more than a benign stranger to his wife Anne (Christine Lahti) and his son Nicky (Charlie Korsmo). Jack has been suffering from a nagging cough for some time, and when he begins coughing up blood one morning, he finally allows another doctor to take a look at him. The doctor discovers that Jack has a malignant tumor in his throat that could rob him of the ability to speak, or even kill him. Suddenly, Jack is a patient instead of a doctor, and he learns first hand about the long stretches in the waiting room, the indignity of filling out pointless forms, and the callous attitude of the professional medical community. Jack also gets to know June (Elizabeth Perkins), a terminal cancer patient whose joyous embrace of life as her time draws to a close is an inspiration to him. Restored to health, Jack is determined to be a more caring healer and strives to be a better husband and father, but his new lease on life also earns him an enemy in fellow surgeon Murray (Mandy Patinkin), who wants Jack to lie under oath for him in a major malpractice case; and a new respect for Eli (Adam Arkin), an ear-nose-throat man he used to ridicule for his empathetic treatment of his patients. The Doctor was based on the memoir of real-life surgeon Ed Rosenbaum, entitled "A Taste of My Own Medicine." ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Randa Haines
- Written By
- Anthony Minghella
- Genres
- Drama
- In Theaters
- Jul 24, 1991 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com
An honest, well-acted and very moving drama about a cold, arrogant surgeon (a terrific Hurt) who learns about compassion when he becomes a cancer patient.
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Gives a fresh appreciation of the dynamic interplay between mind, body, and soul in the art of healing.
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Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Um filme que deveria ser assistido por todos os profissionais da área de Saúde.
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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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William Hurt
as Jack McKee
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Christine Lahti
as Anne
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Elizabeth Perkins
as June
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Mandy Patinkin
as Murray
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Adam Arkin
as Eli
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Charlie Korsmo
as Nicky
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Wendy Crewson
as Leslie Abbott
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Bill Macy
as Al Cade
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J.E. Freeman
as Ralph
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William Marquez
as Mr. Maris
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Kyle Secor
as Alan
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Nicole Orth-Pallavicini
as Sarah
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Tony Dean Fields
as Roger
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Brian Markinson
as Michael
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Maria Tirabassi
as Lonnie
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Akuyoe
as June's Nurse
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Woodryan Alexander
as O.R. Nurse
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Brandyn Artis
as Nurse Jane
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Fran Bennett
as Admissions Secretary
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Jusak Bernhard
as Record Clerk
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Rosa Maria Briz
as Mrs. Maris's Mother
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Matthew T. Clancy
as Doctor in Hallway
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Ross Eto
as 1st MRI Tech
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Nicholas Frangakis
as Priest
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Breon Gorman
as Joey's Mother
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Karen S. Gregan
as Dr. Abbot's Receptionist
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Steven Gundry
as Heart Transplant Surgeon
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Denis Heames
as Young Patient
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Gregor Hesse
as Max
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Lillian Hurst
as Mrs. Maris
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Bruce Jarchow
as Tim
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John Marshall Jones
as Anthony
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Jonathan Kohl
as Anesthesiologist
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Laurie Latham
as Kristin
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Zoaunne Le Roy
as Ward Nurse
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Nellye Leonard
as Nancy
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Ken Lerner
as Pete
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Susan Schelling Long
as Operating Room Nurse
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Lily Mariye
as Operating Room Nurse
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Cynthia Mason
as Barbara
- Zakes Mokae
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Stephen Moore
as Dominic
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Gail Neely
as Operating Room Nurse
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Michael O'Dwyer
as Builder
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Nancy Parsons
as Laurie
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Jeris Poindexter
as Doctor in Hallway
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Keith Polk
as Joe
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Sue Rihr
as Shirley
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Susan Schelling
as O.R. Nurse
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Millie Slavin
as Carrie
- Lynn Stalmaster
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Derek Van Longshore
as Orderly
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Renee Victor
as Lucy
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Ping Wu
as Jay-Jay
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Adam Wylie
as Joey
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Richard McKenzie
as Mr. Richards
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John Miller
as Mr. Richards