The Doctor

Director: Randa Haines
(1991)

Randa Haines reunites with Children of a Lesser God leading man, William Hurt, for this moving, poignant film about a selfish, joking doctor who reevaluates his professionalism and the practice of medicine after being diagnosed with throat cancer. While the plot could have turned into a TV-movie-of-the-week melodrama— the humanity, anger, sadness and empathy embodied by William Hurt gives the film a sense of authenticity that causes the audience to respond strongly and Haines’s film will definitely ring true to those who have either been the victim of or know a victim of medical drama. Elizabeth Perkins lights up the screen in one of her better performances as a severe cancer patient who manages to inspire and affect Hurt during the brief time she has left. This film should be mandatory viewing in medical school.