OVERVIEW

Left: Robin Williams as PATCH ADAMS
Right: Hunter Doherty  "Patch" Adams

Hunter "Patch" Adams is a middle-aged man who decides to commit suicide one day. He was given the nickname "Patch" because of helping one of his fellow inmates and discovers his desire to help people through laughter, understanding, and personal connection. Two years later, after leaving the institution, he enrolls into a medical school and quickly makes friends with another student, Truman, and shares his dream with him. Patch soon recruits the stiff and serious Carin Fisher, whom he falls in love with. In school, as Patch wants to help the patients through humor, Dean Walcott wants to force Patch to follow the rules, even if it means kicking him out of school. As the film progresses, Patch must decide if he wants to continue his efforts and dream while Dean Walcott fights to have him thrown out of school.