The pandemic that began in March of last year has shifted our perspective on doctors and healthcare workers. We are now more aware of the challenges they face. On another note, doctors have become key figures in the film industry, appearing in various movies. As we celebrate March 14th, Medical Day, we’ve compiled a list of 6 unforgettable films that will give us a fresh perspective on the professional lives of doctors.
Patch Adams (1998)
Rated as a must-see film that takes the audience through a whirlwind of emotions, Patch Adams presents a true-life story. Starring celebrated actors like Robin Williams, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Monica Potter, the 1998 film tells the tale of Patch Adams, who, as a medical student, opens a small yet unique health center at his home, treating thousands of patients for free.
Kadavra – Pathology (2008)
Ted Gray, a Harvard medical school graduate, meets Jake Gallo, an exceptional pathologist, during his three-month forensic pathology internship. Both believe they are uniquely qualified to solve the toughest death cases. Jake invites Ted to a game to see who can commit the more perfect murder. This 2008 film features a thrilling storyline ideal for fans of suspense and crime, including actors Alyssa Milano, Milo Ventimiglia, and Keir O’Donnell.
Tanrıyı Oynayanlar – Something the Lord Made (2004)
This 2004 film, featuring talented actors Kyra Sedgwick, Alan Rickman, and Charles S. Dutton, tells the story of a 34-year partnership between surgeon Alfred Blalock and his Black assistant Vivien Thomas that began during the Great Depression in 1929. Initially hired as a janitor, Thomas becomes a crucial part of Blalock’s research due to his skill and interest in cardiology. However, the racial prejudices of the time pose significant challenges. Their smooth collaboration behind closed doors transforms into a struggle behind the doors of a racially segregated workplace.
Doktor – The Doctor (1991)
Successful and wealthy doctor Jack McKee’s life changes dramatically when he receives a cancer diagnosis. After years of viewing the doctor-patient relationship through a clinician’s lens, he is forced to see it from a patient’s perspective, leading him to recognize his past mistakes. Featuring renowned actors like William Hurt, Christine Lahti, Elizabeth Perkins, and Mandy Patinkin, this 1991 film is lauded for its exploration of a doctor’s profession and emotions through the eyes of a patient.
Çizgi Ötesi – Flatliners (1990)
Combining horror, suspense, and science fiction, this cult classic follows the reckless adventures of medical students intrigued by life after death. Five medical students team up to stop their bodily functions to glimpse what lies beyond, but this venture begins to manifest dark events. The 1990 film stars Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, and Kevin Bacon.
Uyanışlar – Awakenings (1990)
Academy Award-nominated for Best Film, Best Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay, this film highlights the lives transformed by a drug invented by a socially awkward doctor devoted to science. Based on the true story told in Oliver Sacks’s book, the movie features Robin Williams and Robert De Niro in lead roles.
