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The Doctor

Play trailer Poster for The Doctor PG-13 1991 2h 5m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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83% Tomatometer 18 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Ace surgeon Jack McKee (William Hurt) is emotionally disconnected from his wife (Christine Lahti), his son (Charlie Korsmo) and the people he operates on. After Jack develops a life-threatening tumor, he sees life from a patient's perspective. He then meets a courageous, fatally ill woman named June (Elizabeth Perkins) and begins to realize the necessity of showing kindness in the medical profession. Jack vows to treat his family and patients with more compassion if he survives.
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The Doctor

Critics Reviews

View All (18) Critics Reviews
David Ansen Newsweek The Doctor is that rare specimen--a big studio movie that treats the audience (and its own characters) with intelligence and respect. It cuts close to the bone. Feb 7, 2018 Full Review Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Rated: A- Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Steve Davis Austin Chronicle Rated: 3/5 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Randa Haines has directed The Doctor with exquisite tact, supported by an exceptional cast. [Full review in Spanish] Jan 20, 2023 Full Review Brian D. Johnson Maclean's Magazine The Doctor is a shrewd and serious piece of work. Oct 15, 2019 Full Review Kathi Maio Sojourner [Christine Lahti] is capable of bringing great depth to any part. But how do you plumb a petri dish? Sep 11, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (127) audience reviews
Ishara L Movie #1531 Again, a movie I would have never watched if I didn't make my list the ways I did. Pleasantly surprised with this, gentle and empathetic film making in a very restrained, silent-observer style. William Hurt may have allegedly been not such a pleasant person, but he was a fine actor. I enjoyed it but it was a very... white movie. Cinematographically, it was very non-intrusive and realistic, which is fine, but doens't underline the complex emotions. Bit sterile for me in that regard. But Randa Haines is an excellent filmmaker. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/26/24 Full Review Steve D Heartfelt and beautifully acted. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Audience Member A script that could easily go astray made believable by the wonderful performance of William Hurt , very credible in the role of this self centered CVT surgeon who becomes more humane after confrontation with serious disease The movie aged well and is still very enjoyable 30 years after Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review jon c From the late executive-producer Laura Ziskin comes a movie about one who's life was to save others but the tables have turned on him William Hurt is Dr. Jack McKee, successful surgeon yet he's emotionally closed off from his wife and son This is a man who lives like a god above all his patients Sadly he becomes diagnosed with a throat tumor and his fall from grace begins He becomes one of the people, just as human and just as fragile being a patient He meets an afflicted woman Elizabeth Perkins' June and develops an unlikely bond Jack's attitude shifts into more compassion and understanding The movie has a terrific lead and speaks to so many carrying this man's affliction Most patients never go downstairs of the hospital much less to radiation therapy It's like a completely different world as opposed to upstairs This movie too long but William Hurt is sensational balancing his role as a man who's trying to stay on top but not falling off the pedestal he once stood for Every doctor becomes a patient somewhere down the line It's hard to explain to doctors how patients actually feel, go through, and think For Jack he gains a better comprehension of someone not in his position going through actual suffering This treats the viewer with intelligence and respect for the profession and the people it's supposed to help Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member One of the best movies Iâ(TM)ve ever seen. Your typical doctor (arrogant, egotistical, etc.) gets knocked off his high horse and learns what it means to care again by becoming a patient, and having to deal with life and other doctors from a patientâ(TM)s perspective. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member I am lucky enough to have a pain management doctor like this...if I lose my insurance, I will be devastated. This is a beautiful film that all medical students and all doctors should see. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Doctor

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Cast & Crew

Beaches 42% 88% Beaches Watchlist Regarding Henry 49% 63% Regarding Henry Watchlist Second Best 100% 79% Second Best Watchlist Medicine Man 17% 46% Medicine Man Watchlist My Life 44% 74% My Life Watchlist TRAILER for My Life Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Ace surgeon Jack McKee (William Hurt) is emotionally disconnected from his wife (Christine Lahti), his son (Charlie Korsmo) and the people he operates on. After Jack develops a life-threatening tumor, he sees life from a patient's perspective. He then meets a courageous, fatally ill woman named June (Elizabeth Perkins) and begins to realize the necessity of showing kindness in the medical profession. Jack vows to treat his family and patients with more compassion if he survives.
Director
Randa Haines
Producer
Laura Ziskin
Screenwriter
Ed Rosenbaum, Robert Caswell
Production Co
Silver Screen Partners IV
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$38.1M
Runtime
2h 5m
Sound Mix
Surround
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