Going into Patch Adams, I didn't know what to think. I had heard it was extremely funny, but it was supposed to be a drama based on true story. A true, dramatic story that's hilarious? Earlier this year, we got the comical drama The Truman Show, but it definitely wasn't based on real life events... How could a drama be a comedy at the same time, while maintaining the emotional effect dramas of this nature are supposed to have?

Hunter Adams is a real person, and, if they portrayed him correctly, an interesting person... Meaning, a strange person. But interesting, nonetheless. He is always "excessively happy," and humorous... not a person you would expect to be the center of a drama. Furthermore, Robin Williams plays Adams, and, though he did give an outstanding performance in Good Will Hunting, he is mainly a comedian. Luckily, Williams fits into the character perfectly, does what he does best (comedy), as well as deliver strong dramatical segments. The character is goofy but his mission is not; that's what the drama is about.

Patch Adams is considered a drama, but there is more humor to it than anything else. A lot of the jokes are just goofy, dealing with Williams making kids laugh, and are more cute than funny. However, I did find myself laughing quite often, and at some points, loudly. There are some extremely funny parts in the movie (and one incredibly sad and shocking part), which right off make it worthwhile. But it's the "cute" jokes that makes Patch Adams what it is; a funny, real-life drama. You laugh, but it's more of a warm, kind laugh as you realize what Adams is doing to the patients. It's hard to explain, but that's what I'm supposed to do in this review, and that's the best I can do.

The only thing that disturbed me while watching Patch Adams was that I had to go to the bathroom real bad in the last half hour.

Review by Erik Samdahl. Erik is a marketing and technology executive by day, avid movie lover by night. He is a member of the Seattle Film Critics Society.