The Doctor

PG-13

1991

2 hr. 5 min.

Drama

List

83%

18 Reviews

Tomatometer

72%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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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

s r

A taste of his own medicine was the better title.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Randa Haines

Director

William Hurt

Dr. Jack MacKee

Christine Lahti

Anne MacKee

Elizabeth Perkins

June Ellis

Mandy Patinkin

Dr. Murray Kaplan

Adam Arkin

Dr. Eli Blumfield

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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

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

In the wrong hands, this material could have been simply a cautionary tale, but Hurt and his director, Randa Haines, who also collaborated on Children of a Lesser God, make it into the story of a specific, flawed, fascinating human being.

Rated: 3.5/4

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

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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
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
Sound Mix: Surround

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