Filmmakers Steve Odekirk and Tom Shadyac pour on the manipulation way too thick in this ridiculous Robin Williams vehicle, based on a true story. Patch Adams is a manic depressive who realizes he wants to spend the rest of his life helping people. While attending medical school, he manages to win the hearts of his patients, but arouses the animosity of his fellow students and the chief of staff.

Williams is solid and full of conviction, but hardly restrained. His well known brand of hyperactive antics go completely unchecked, which becomes quite annoying. It's too bad, because anyone who's seen him in Awakenings or Good Will Hunting knows that he has enormous range. Bob Gunton (who plays the chief of staff) practically duplicates his prison warden role from The Shawshank Redemption--overplaying the callous administrator beyond believability.

Many will say that I'm being too harsh on this film, but that's just not the case. I'm a fan of sentimental films. The problem here is that the film is just full of manipulative, cinematic ploys. It's overflowing with fake emotions that are meant to be taken seriously, but don't ring true. Patch Adams is a predictable and embarrassing mess.