Patch Adams (movie)

Probably the most saccharine-filled movie I've ever seen! :)

Saccharine, note, not sugar.

Patch Adams is training to become a doctor, an appropriate vocation since he seems blessed with the ability to make people laugh. Laughter equals happiness, and happiness helps heal patients.

"You treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you, you'll win, no matter what the outcome."

However Patch is also one of those two-dimensional characters who, despite living life on a perpetual high, never seems to go through any corresponding low. There are two points in this film when he does get sad, but neither is the result of his extreme euphoria.

While I do believe that it's possible to generally choose joy over sadness, nowhere here does Patch seem to be practising this decision. The script presents us with someone who just is constantly elated, and never seems to encounter the insecurities and hurt that the rest of the world has to get over.

The film's message is one that we can all hold onto - make the world a happier place - but with little realism to the character, it also makes this look unachievable.