Patch Adams

A doctor attempts to promote his theory that "laughter is the best medicine" by setting up his own hospital where he puts this into practice, much to the chagrin of his superiors.

This mawkish "comedy" neglects the humble task of actually including any jokes, or even settling for bittersweet laughs, in favour of boastfully preaching about the positive benefits laughter has on the kidneys. The fact that it's actually based on a true story is baffling.

Even with the talented Robin Williams in the lead role, it fails miserably on all levels, though he can't be blamed for the clichéd script full of pantomime villains and cardboard support.

Perhaps it has its heart in the right place, but it's a painful watch with a twisted moral which seems to say that it's okay to laugh at people suffering with terminal illness.