I have several shelves of films that are geared strictly for their escape value. Sometimes you just have one of those days that make you want to scream and throw something (like I had yesterday). And if I’ve gotta throw something, it may as well be a movie....into the ol VCR or DVD player. Last night I scanned the titles on those shelves and decided it was time to watch Doc Hollywood again.
In the leading role is Michael J. Fox. Now I’ve always liked this guy from his glory days of Family Ties, but I never considered him a good actor. He could deliver his lines, had great timing, make me laugh, but even with his scenes that included his future wife, Tracy Pollan, he never seemed to really “feel” the character. It was different when I watched him in Doc Hollywood (1991). He impressed me here....he even brought tears to my eyes.
Now before I tell you more about Doc Hollywood, I want to say that sometimes the location scenes of a film will attract me as much as the story or the cast. After doing a bit of research I found that this movie was filmed near the place I grew up in north central Florida. It all looked so familiar...and wonderful. Click your heels together and repeat...there‘s no place like home.
The story begins with scenes of a young doctor, Benjamin Stone, going about his rounds in a large city Hospital. My first thought was, Geez, there’s Alex Keaton, pretending to be a doctor. It was the same character he’s played before, just with scrubs on. I’m glad to say that changes quickly.
In the story, this doctor is leaving his surroundings, looking for greener pastures as a plastic surgeon in the glamour capital of Hollywood. On his journey he runs into a little road construction, takes a little detour, and winds up on some back roads in South Carolina. When he comes upon some cows in the middle of the road, he swerves, leaving the road, and winds up tearing through a freshly painted white picket fence. A fence that just happens to be owned by the local Judge.
The Judge (Roberts Blossom) hands down a sentence of 32 hours of community service in the local hospital, which is actually a beautiful large house, guarded by a feisty nurse (Eyde Byrde) with a quick tongue and the fastest fingers in the South when it comes to clocking in. This hospital is also serviced with an ambulance standing nearby. An ambulance that is driven by a lovely and ambitious young mother called Lou, (Julie Warner).
There are quite a few colorful characters in Grady, South Carolina and most of them are anxious to hold onto “Doc Hollywood”. Their own beloved Doctor that has cared for them for many years, Dr. Hogue, (Barnard Hughes) wants to retire. Among the other members of the community are the Mayor (David Ogden Stiers), a young gung-ho insurance salesman, Hank, (Woody Harrelson), and a horny little southern Belle from hell, Nancy Lee (Bridgette Fonda). The question is whether or not they can convince this new younger Doctor that he should put up his feet and stay awhile.
The dialogue in Doc Hollywood is quite witty and, again, the scenes capture the area beautifully. It is the chemistry between Michael J. Fox and Julie Warren that really make this film so appealing. If you’re looking for a sweet, romantic comedy, this is a good pick.
And, by the way, in my last review I talked about George Hamilton at the ripe young age of 21. He also appears briefly here in Doc Hollywood at the age of 52. Interesting to see the comparison.
Doc Hollywood runs for 104 minutes and was directed by Michael Caton-Jones (also credited with directing Rob Roy, another of my favorites). It’s cute and touching, and, if you’re like me, you’ll eventually be grabbing for a Kleenex. Rated PG for very brief nudity.
Sleeper54 has challenged us all to write with fewer words (less than 666) and has begun a regular little 'ol war. If you'd like to see the entries, just click here. This is my 3rd review clocking in at 665 words...Lordy, will I ever NOT notice my word count again? Thanks, Tom!!
8-)
~~Nedi~~
DVDS. A big city doctor is stranded in a small rural town, where he finds love, professional challenges, and a pet pig, in this comedy. Fresh out of r...More at DeepDiscount.com
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