Dr. T & the Women

Last updated
Dr. T & The Women
Dr T and the Women poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Robert Altman
Written by Anne Rapp
Produced byRobert Altman
James McLindon
Starring
Cinematography Jan Kiesser
Edited by Geraldine Peroni
Music by Lyle Lovett
Production
companies
Distributed by Artisan Entertainment (United States)
Splendid Film [1]
20th Century Fox (Germany) [2]
Release date
October 13, 2000 (2000-10-13)
Running time
122 minutes
CountriesUnited States
Germany
LanguagesEnglish
German
Spanish
Budget$23 million
Box office$22.8 million

Dr. T & The Women is a 2000 American romantic comedy film directed by Robert Altman, featuring an ensemble cast including Richard Gere as wealthy gynecologist Dr. Sullivan Travis ("Dr. T") and Helen Hunt, Farrah Fawcett, Laura Dern, Shelley Long, Tara Reid, Kate Hudson, and Liv Tyler as the various women that he encounters in his everyday life. The movie was primarily filmed in Dallas, Texas, and was released in US theaters on October 13, 2000. The film's music was composed by American composer and alternative country singer Lyle Lovett, who released an album of his score in September 2000.

Contents

Plot

Dr. Sullivan 'Sully' Travis (aka "Dr. T."), a wealthy Dallas gynecologist for some of the wealthiest ladies in Texas, finds his life beginning to fall apart starting when his wife, Kate, suffers from 'Hestia Complex', a rare type of stigmatization syndrome of wealthy women, receding into a strange state and, after she disrobes in a shopping mall fountain while shopping for their daughter's wedding registry at Tiffany's, is committed to the state mental hospital. When Dr. T visits Kate, she rebuffs his kisses as improper and he sees her old psyche cannot be brought back to now by his affection. Dr. T's daughter, Dee Dee, a student at Southern Methodist University and alternate for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, is planning to go through with her approaching wedding despite the secret that she is romantically involved with Marilyn, her former college friend in Houston and the maid of honor. Dr. T's other daughter, Connie, is a conspiracy theorist and eventually reveals to her father that Dee Dee and Marilyn are lovers.

While Marilyn is on his examining table for the first time, she surmises her condition is caused by the stress of being the maid of honor for her friend Dee Dee. Dr. T realizes she is Dee Dee's lover and becomes embarrassed mid-examination, asking the nurse to finish.

Dr. T's loyal secretary Carolyn has romantic feelings for him, which are not mutual: in a farcical scene at the workday end, she locks the office door and gives him a shoulder-massage from behind his chair, secretly disrobing while emphasizing his need for a loving wife. Refreshed but unaware of her intentions, he goes to the coat closet, turns and finds she has vanished. From under the desk, she says he never empties his trash baskets. Approaching the desk he glimpses her state of undress and quickly leaves.

Meanwhile, Dr. T's alcoholic sister-in-law, Peggy, unintentionally meddles in every situation she stumbles into. She is currently divorced and has moved into his house with her three daughters.

At his golf club, Bree, a golf pro, gets accidentally soaked by the automatic sprinklers and he offers a towel and his dry golf cart and they decide to play the round together. Accepting his offer for dinner, she says she knows a better place than his suggested restaurant, next they're taking grocery bags into her condo. She moves quickly and gracefully turning on the stereo music by Lyle Lovett, the grill on the balcony, putting steak on, going upstairs, into one room, then walking nude across the balcony to the shower. After dinner, she takes a bottle of wine upstairs, briefly hesitating he follows her and they become lovers. She provides friendship and comfort in his difficult office and personal life.

As Dee Dee's wedding begins the skies are darkening and thunder increasing. As the procession is blown by increasing wind, Dee Dee bypasses her groom, embraces and kisses Marilyn and the skies open up sending all the guests for shelter. Inspired, Dr. T drives his open top convertible to Bree's house where he asks her to marry and run away with him. He offers to fulfill her every need and she asks why she would want that (this is what caused Kate's syndrome according to her psychologist). She says she has made other plans. Dr. T. asks if she is with Harlan, one of his golfing/hunting buddies, She replies: “I’m not with anybody.” Distraught, Dr. T. drives off into the storm and into a tornado as it crosses his path and is lifted into the air, tumbles in debris; the scene fades to the morning after. The camera view pans to reveal distant mountains surrounding a vast desert flat land. His nearby car is found by three Mexican people. A little girl in a white dress with a veil sees the doctor badge on the front grill of the car Exclaiming “Dr!”. They find & lead him, still dazed, to a circle of seven tiny houses where a girl is in labor. Galvanized by the sight, he immediately washes his hands, drops his wedding ring into the basin, takes charge and delivers the baby, holding it and rejoices “it’s a boy!”

Cast

Release

Dr. T & The Women was released in US cinemas on October 13, 2000 by Artisan Entertainment, and earned $5,012,867 in its opening weekend on 1,489 screens, ranking #7 in the weekend of October 13, 2000 [3] ultimately grossing $13,113,041 in the United States. It was released in the United Kingdom on July 6, 2001 by Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International, grossing $9,731,250 in international profits.

Reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics. On review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 57% approval rating, based on 108 reviews with an average rating of 5.71/10. The site's consensus states: "In terms of quality, Dr. T & the Women is one of Altman's good-but-not-great films. In typical Altman style, it features some great ensemble acting, including a wonderful performance by Richard Gere." [4] Metacritic gave the film an average score of 64/100, based on 35 reviews. [5] CinemaScore audience polling gave the film an "F." [6] [7] [8] Coincidentally, it was released the same day as Lost Souls , which also received an "F." [9]

Critic Roger Ebert gave the film three stars, stating "When you hear that Dr. T is a gynecologist played by Richard Gere, you assume he is a love machine mowing down his patients. Nothing could be further from the truth". [10]

A. O. Scott wrote in a review for The New York Times , "'Dr. T and the Women' uses its affluent milieu to good comic effect, but it's mellower and more forgiving than these movies, and less interested in social criticism than in the celebration of human foible. In spite of Sully's troubles, the emotional stakes never seem very high. Everyone seems to be having too much fun to be suffering terribly much." [11]

In a moderately favorable review for Variety, Todd McCarthy wrote, "Although marked by a continually enjoyable accretion of detail and vital work by the thesps, storytelling admittedly leans to the slight and leisurely through the first hour or so, until a prolonged sequence devoted to Dr. T’s day from hell." [12]

Related Research Articles

<i>I Am Sam</i> 2001 American drama film by Jessie Nelson

I Am Sam is a 2001 American drama film co-written and directed by Jessie Nelson. It stars Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dianne Wiest, Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning, Richard Schiff, Loretta Devine and Laura Dern.

<i>American Gigolo</i> 1980 crime drama film by Paul Schrader

American Gigolo is a 1980 American neo-noir crime drama film written and directed by Paul Schrader, and starring Richard Gere and Lauren Hutton. It tells the story of a high-priced escort in Los Angeles (Gere) who becomes romantically involved with a prominent politician's wife (Hutton), while simultaneously becoming the prime suspect in a murder case.

<i>Short Cuts</i> 1993 film by Robert Altman

Short Cuts is a 1993 American comedy-drama film, directed by Robert Altman. Filmed from a screenplay by Altman and Frank Barhydt, it is inspired by nine short stories and a poem by Raymond Carver. The film has a Los Angeles setting, which is substituted for the Pacific Northwest backdrop of Carver's stories. Short Cuts traces the actions of 22 principal characters, both in parallel and at occasional loose points of connection. The role of chance and luck is central to the film, and many of the stories concern death and infidelity.

<i>Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean</i> (film) 1982 film by Robert Altman

Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean is a 1982 comedy-drama film and an adaptation of Ed Graczyk's 1976 play. The Broadway and screen versions were directed by Robert Altman, and stars Sandy Dennis, Cher, Mark Patton, Karen Black, Sudie Bond, and Kathy Bates.

<i>Shall We Dance?</i> (2004 film) 2004 American film by Peter Chelsom

Shall We Dance? is a 2004 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Peter Chelsom and starring Richard Gere, Jennifer Lopez, and Susan Sarandon. It is a remake of the 1996 Japanese film of the same name.

<i>Unfaithful</i> (2002 film) 2002 American erotic thriller film directed by Adrian Lyne

Unfaithful is a 2002 erotic thriller film directed and produced by Adrian Lyne and starring Richard Gere, Diane Lane, Olivier Martinez, Erik Per Sullivan, Chad Lowe, and Dominic Chianese. It was adapted by Alvin Sargent and William Broyles Jr. from the 1969 French film The Unfaithful Wife by Claude Chabrol. It tells the story of a couple living in the suburbs of New York City whose marriage goes dangerously awry when the wife indulges in an affair with a stranger she encounters by chance.

<i>First Knight</i> 1995 film by Jerry Zucker

First Knight is a 1995 medieval film based on Arthurian legend, directed by Jerry Zucker. It stars Sean Connery as King Arthur, Richard Gere as Lancelot, Julia Ormond as Guinevere and Ben Cross as Malagant.

<i>A Wedding</i> (1978 film) 1978 film by Robert Altman

A Wedding is a 1978 American satirical comedy-drama film directed by Robert Altman, with an ensemble cast that includes Desi Arnaz, Jr., Carol Burnett, Paul Dooley, Vittorio Gassman, Mia Farrow, Lillian Gish, Geraldine Chaplin, Howard Duff, Nina Van Pallandt, Amy Stryker, and Pat McCormick. The story is told in typical Altman style, with multiple plots and overlapping humorous dialogue.

<i>Serendipity</i> (film) 2001 romantic comedy film by Peter Chelsom

Serendipity is a 2001 American romantic comedy film directed by Peter Chelsom, written by Marc Klein, and starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. The film grossed $77.5 million on a $28 million budget.

<i>Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo</i> 1999 film directed by Mike Mitchell

Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo is a 1999 American sex comedy film directed by Mike Mitchell and written by Harris Goldberg and Rob Schneider. The film stars Schneider, William Forsythe, Eddie Griffin, and Arija Bareikis, with supporting roles by Oded Fehr, Gail O'Grady, Richard Riehle, Jacqueline Obradors, Big Boy, Amy Poehler, and Dina Platias. The film tells the story of a hapless fishtank cleaner who goes into business as a male prostitute in an attempt to earn enough money to repair damage he caused while house-sitting. It was the first film produced by Adam Sandler's production company Happy Madison Productions.

<i>Runaway Bride</i> (film) 1999 film by Garry Marshall

Runaway Bride is a 1999 American screwball romantic comedy film directed by Garry Marshall, and starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. The screenplay, written by Sara Parriott and Josann McGibbon, is about a reporter (Gere) who undertakes to write a story about a woman (Roberts) who has left a string of fiancés at the altar.

<i>3 Women</i> 1977 film by Robert Altman

3 Women is a 1977 American independent experimental psychological dramatic mysterious thriller film written, produced and directed by Robert Altman and starring Shelley Duvall, Sissy Spacek and Janice Rule. Set in a dusty California desert town, it depicts the increasingly bizarre relationship between a adult woman (Duvall), her teenage roommate and co-worker (Spacek) and an middle-aged pregnant woman (Rule).

<i>Transamerica</i> (film) 2005 independent comedy-drama film directed by Duncan Tucker

Transamerica is a 2005 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Duncan Tucker, and starring Felicity Huffman and Kevin Zegers. Released by IFC Films and The Weinstein Company, the film premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 14, 2005, and to theaters in the United States on December 2, 2005.

<i>It Takes Two</i> (1995 film) 1995 comedy film directed by Andy Tennant

It Takes Two is a 1995 American romantic comedy film starring Kirstie Alley, Steve Guttenberg, and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. The title is taken from the song of the same name by Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston, which is played in the closing credits. The film was distributed by Warner Bros. through their Warner Bros. Family Entertainment label.

<i>Mr. Jones</i> (1993 film) 1993 film directed by Mike Figgis

Mr. Jones is a 1993 American romantic drama film directed by Mike Figgis, and starring Richard Gere, Lena Olin, Anne Bancroft, Tom Irwin and Delroy Lindo.

<i>Thieves Like Us</i> (film) 1974 film by Robert Altman

Thieves Like Us is a 1974 American crime film, set in the United States of the 1930s. It was directed by Robert Altman and starred Keith Carradine and Shelley Duvall. The film was based on the novel of the same name by Edward Anderson, which also supplied source material for the 1948 film They Live by Night, directed by Nicholas Ray. The Altman film sticks much closer to the book. The supporting cast includes Louise Fletcher and Tom Skerritt.

Tattoo is a 1981 erotic thriller film directed by Bob Brooks, and starring Bruce Dern and Maud Adams. It depicts the relationship between a fashion model and an eccentric tattoo artist that quickly turns evil.

<i>Picture Perfect</i> (1997 film) 1997 film by Glenn Gordon Caron

Picture Perfect is a 1997 American romantic comedy film directed by Glenn Gordon Caron, written by Arleen Sorkin, and starring Jennifer Aniston, Jay Mohr, Kevin Bacon, Illeana Douglas, Olympia Dukakis, and Anne Twomey. The film centers around a young advertising executive's life which becomes increasingly complicated when, in order to impress her boss, she pretends to be engaged to a man she just met. Picture Perfect was released on August 1, 1997, by 20th Century Fox. It received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $44.3 million against an $18 million budget.

<i>Four Christmases</i> 2008 American Christmas comedy film

Four Christmases is a 2008 American Christmas comedy film starring Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon with Robert Duvall, Jon Favreau, Mary Steenburgen, Dwight Yoakam, Tim McGraw, Kristin Chenoweth, Jon Voight, and Sissy Spacek in supporting roles. The film is director Seth Gordon's first studio feature film. It tells the story of a couple who must travel to four family parties after their vacation plans get canceled due to dense fog. The film was produced by New Line Cinema and Spyglass Entertainment and released by Warner Bros. Pictures on November 26, 2008.

<i>Certain Women</i> (film) 2016 American drama film by Kelly Reichardt

Certain Women is a 2016 American drama film edited, written, and directed by Kelly Reichardt. Based on "Native Sandstone", "Travis, B." and "Tome"—three short stories from Maile Meloy's collections Half in Love and Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It—it stars Laura Dern, Kristen Stewart, Michelle Williams, Lily Gladstone, James Le Gros, and Jared Harris.

References

  1. ↑ Meza, Ed (26 November 2000). "Splendid Medien pacts with Fox". Variety . Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  2. ↑ "Film #15217: Dr. T & the Women". Lumiere . Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  3. ↑ Box Office Mojo
  4. ↑ "Dr. T and the Women". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Dr. T and the Women (2000): Reviews". Metacritic . CBS . Retrieved 2008-02-16.
  6. ↑ "19 of the Most Loved or Hated Movies: Films That Got A+ or F CinemaScores (Photos)". 22 November 2017.
  7. ↑ "Here are the Only 19 Movies To Ever Receive An F CinemaScore". 20 September 2017.
  8. ↑ Dowd, A. A.; Rife, Katie (April 3, 2020). "Is an "F" from CinemaScore Actually a Good Thing? Our Critics Weigh In". The A.V. Club . Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  9. ↑ SanderSo47 (2022-11-28). "CinemaScore Analysis – 2000 Edition". r/boxoffice. Retrieved 2024-03-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ↑ Ebert, Roger. "Dr T. and the Women". Roger Ebert.com . Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  11. ↑ Scott, A. O. (October 13, 2000). "FILM REVIEW; Such Fascinating Creatures . . . So Beguiling, So Special and, Um, He Oughta Know". The New York Times . Archived from the original on May 27, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  12. ↑ McCarthy, Todd (September 5, 2000). "Review: 'Dr. T & the Women'". Variety . Archived from the original on July 3, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.