Doc Hollywood (1991)

 Doc Hollywood
You had the DVD in stock and it arrived in a timely manner.

Thank you. May 13, 2008

 First Rate Movie, with Stellar Acting All Around
This is a gem of a movie, with Michael J Fox successfully pulling off a character that is full of contradiction -- arrogant, rude, humble, vulnerable, in command, embarrassed, cute, love struck, hurt, compassionate, abrasive, exposed, depressed, angry, and principled. Fox masterfully pulls off all of these conflicting characteristics in a believable way.

His facial expressions are subtly humorous and memorable, and five of the six sections of dialogue between him and Julie Warner alone are charming, witting and riveting.

Every one of the supporting cast members give equally stellar performances, and the reasons for the various types of conflict in the story are believable and heart warming.

I'm surprised Julie Warner's career didn't go further after this, and I would've loved to see other romantic comedies starring both Fox and Wagner together, as we've seen with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers etcetera. There appeared to be chemistry between them that sets the television on fire every time I watch it.

I bought this video after checking it out from the library, and I expect it to be one of these videos I turn to when I want to lose myself in the world these two create for us. And this in spite of the fact that I don't naturally gravitate to romantic comedies.

I have two criticisms of the movie -- one has to do with the lack of emotion that Warner sometimes shows during critical moments in her relationship with Fox -- for example, when they finally unite, she ends this kiss with the statement "nice tonsils". While this was funny, I thought it sort of spoiled the moment and didn't do justice to the fact that fox had just given her unconditional love on her own terms.

And second, there is a scene where Fox and Warner start urinating all over different parts of a forest to deter deer from approaching a deer blind. Initially, Fox reacts with confusion, which lends credibility to the scene (as this is exactly what I felt), but it seemed unfitting for Wagner's character, and hardly an experience that would trigger the affection and love for one another that eventually leads to their relationship blossoming.

But this is a minor criticism -- I know of no other movie that has had such a riveting effect on me, and I think it's one that belongs in just about any collection. January 11, 2008

 Not Widescreen
This is not a jab at Amazon, as Doc Hollywood is NOT available from Warner Bros. in anything other than full-screen, but how any studio can continue to sell full-screen-ONLY DVDs is beyond me. It's unforgivable. I won't even go into the inconvenience of the Warner snap-cases. I mistakenly read the specs and bought (and returned) this movie. If you expect to keep your 4:3 SD television for the next 10 years, and don't mind that you're missing about 1/3 of the original shot, then here's the movie for you. I really enjoy this movie, but I will not buy a 4:3 movie that wasn't shot originally in this format. As of Feb. 2009, standard analog (and I hope most 4:3 content) will migrate to widescreen/HD TV. All movies should offer a widescreen option. This, in my opinion, is the only positive outcome of the Blu-ray/HD-DVD conflict... but that's another story. December 25, 2007

 Small-town charm makes this movie memorable
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RIQ93IFDZXL5R November 23, 2007

 Great movie, terrible DVD
The movie is great, for all the reasons others have stated. My rating and review are specifically about the bare-bones DVD that it comes on.

You get: full-screen only, stereo sound. That's it. No widescreen. No surround sound. No commentaries, documentaries, interviews. Not even a lousy trailer.

It's worth owning because it's the only DVD version available, but the shabby, perfunctory presentation is really very disappointing. October 17, 2007

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