The Doctor
A self-absorbed surgeon confronting throat cancer learns that humane care requires seeing patients as people rather than procedures.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- serious
- intimate
- reflective
- reflective evening
- medical drama night
What critics said
Critics broadly viewed the film as a sincere and effective medical drama, with its emotional impact strengthened by William Hurt's lead performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jack's cancer diagnosis makes him experience hospitals, doctors, and medical procedures from the patient's side.
Jack moves beyond technical medicine and self-interest toward a more humane understanding of care.
Jack's treatment exposes the impersonal routines and power dynamics of hospital care.
The laryngeal cancer diagnosis directly challenges Jack's wealth, status, and narrow professional identity.
Films like The Doctor, and why
Wit
shared medical setting, patient perspective, and compassionate transformation
The Bucket List
shared illness-centered drama, emotional introspection, and rethinking mortality
Patch Adams
shared physician protagonist, ethical self-examination, and grounded humanism
Movie Details
- Director
- Randa Haines
- Release Date
- 1991-07-24
- Runtime
- 122 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (89)
Cast
- William Hurt
- Christine Lahti
- Elizabeth Perkins
- Mandy Patinkin
- Adam Arkin
- Charlie Korsmo
- Wendy Crewson
- Bill Macy
- J.E. Freeman
- William Marquez
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Doctor about?
- A self-absorbed surgeon confronting throat cancer learns that humane care requires seeing patients as people rather than procedures.
- What is The Doctor like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Doctor as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Doctor violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Doctor as mild.
- What did critics think of The Doctor?
- Critics broadly viewed the film as a sincere and effective medical drama, with its emotional impact strengthened by William Hurt's lead performance.
- Which films are like The Doctor?
- Films with a similar feel include Wit, The Bucket List, and Patch Adams.
- How long is The Doctor?
- The Doctor runs 122 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Doctor?
- In United States, The Doctor is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
