I believe that the majority of movies, mediocre to bad, began with good ideas. They were executed poorly in one area or another (or in many areas). I also believe that in most cases great writers, directors, and casts could have made those mediocre to bad films good. the Dr. T crew just couldn't pull this one off. Go figure? With a cast of Richard Gere, Farrah Fawcett, Helen Hunt, Tara Reid, Liv Tyler, Kate Hudson, and Shelley Long. And Robert Altman directing .
With that kind of pedigree you'd think this movie would have been an Oscar consideration, at least a top box office draw. Yet, it got all it deserved (actually too much). This film is a great example of how a crappy story , bad editing, and poor dialogue can make great actors look foolish. It also goes to show that great actors make bad decisions. This project leads its cast blindly over a cliff like lemmings. Fortunately most of them are good enough to survive this nightmare freefall.
The Plot: What was the hell was the plot? A gynecologist has a lot of women in his life - ALL THE TIME! They are odd, cranky, drunk, lesbian, hypochondriac, and crazy. BIG DEAL! There was nothing in this movie that helped me bond or even identify with Dr. Travis (and I have 3 girls, a wife, my mother-in-law lives with us, and I'm the only man in an office of six other women). There was no real development of his character (or the story for that matter) because there were so many subplots and situations, unnecessary scenes (like all the useless uninformative waiting room crap) and minor characters to deal with. No director (not even Altman) could fully develop such a confusing convoluted pail of swill.
There was no resolution in this film. Well, that's not fair. the lesbian thing was resolved, but nothing else. We know his wife is still in the hospital - what happened to her? We know that she wanted a divorce - did anything happen with that? The whole alcoholic sister thing was a waste of celluloid (though Laura Dern was great in the role). She had no significance, no bearing on the characters or the plot. Dr. T's buddies came off as neutered dogs worshipping their master (Dr. Travis).
And the ending! What the hell was that? He drives into a tornado, lands near a Mexican family's shack and delivers a baby boy. THE END!
Sorry folks, this one isn't worth the video rental fee, or the 2 hours of wasted life that could be put to better use - like catching up on the latest WWF rivalry.
With that kind of pedigree you'd think this movie would have been an Oscar consideration, at least a top box office draw. Yet, it got all it deserved (actually too much). This film is a great example of how a crappy story , bad editing, and poor dialogue can make great actors look foolish. It also goes to show that great actors make bad decisions. This project leads its cast blindly over a cliff like lemmings. Fortunately most of them are good enough to survive this nightmare freefall.
The Plot: What was the hell was the plot? A gynecologist has a lot of women in his life - ALL THE TIME! They are odd, cranky, drunk, lesbian, hypochondriac, and crazy. BIG DEAL! There was nothing in this movie that helped me bond or even identify with Dr. Travis (and I have 3 girls, a wife, my mother-in-law lives with us, and I'm the only man in an office of six other women). There was no real development of his character (or the story for that matter) because there were so many subplots and situations, unnecessary scenes (like all the useless uninformative waiting room crap) and minor characters to deal with. No director (not even Altman) could fully develop such a confusing convoluted pail of swill.
There was no resolution in this film. Well, that's not fair. the lesbian thing was resolved, but nothing else. We know his wife is still in the hospital - what happened to her? We know that she wanted a divorce - did anything happen with that? The whole alcoholic sister thing was a waste of celluloid (though Laura Dern was great in the role). She had no significance, no bearing on the characters or the plot. Dr. T's buddies came off as neutered dogs worshipping their master (Dr. Travis).
And the ending! What the hell was that? He drives into a tornado, lands near a Mexican family's shack and delivers a baby boy. THE END!
Sorry folks, this one isn't worth the video rental fee, or the 2 hours of wasted life that could be put to better use - like catching up on the latest WWF rivalry.