Patch Adams

Shamelessly contrived and sanctimoniously manipulative, this is yet another assembly-line vehicle for Robin Williams and his wild-man-with-a-heart-of-gold shtick. Based on the story of real-life West Virginia physician Hunter "Patch" Adams, director Tom Shadyac's film has good intentions, but they're all buried beneath a two-hour avalanche of squirm-inducing cliches. Williams is as subtle as a jackhammer in his portrayal of the idealistic Adams, an ex-mental patient turned medical student who believes that humor and an emotional connection with the physically and mentally ill help improve their "quality of life." Not surprisingly, his rebellious theories -- it's 19...