3 Films With Unrealistic Hospital Portrayals

by Lewis Robinson

Hospitals are a popular setting for production studios everywhere. While this is definitely understandable, it's resulted in several inaccurate portrayals of medical facilities. So, in order to set the record straight, here are three films with unrealistic hospital portrayals.

1. Patch Adams

Patch Adams is your classic feel-good movie, complete with heart-warming moments and Robin Williams himself. Unfortunately, it's also an unrealistic portrayal of hospitals and medical care in general. Patch Adams is based on the true story of Patch Adams, a physician, comedian and author. The movie follows the story of Patch discovering the power of laughter, specifically as a way to improve someone's health. Regrettably, the film disregards many of Patch's real-life experiences, as well as his actual methodology. Sure, the film doesn't deal with technical things like a stem wave therapy machine. However, it incorrectly portrays hospital culture and, most importantly, the medical power of laughter. While Patch believes in the power of one's environment and emotions to affect health, he didn't think that comedy alone could cure a patient. Despite this, the film decides to frame Patch as a miracle worker fighting against the stuffy hospital higher-ups. All in all, while the movie is heartfelt, it's an incorrect portrait of a real medical professional.

2. Million Dollar Baby

Million Dollar Baby is an Oscar-winning film that's known for its depressing ending. By the end of the film, Maggie (the main character) suffers an extreme neck injury. This causes her to become paralyzed from the neck down. Eventually, she tells her trainer that she doesn't want to live this way. This causes the trainer to give her a fatal shot of adrenaline. After watching the movie, you may be overcome by sadness. However, it's important to know that Million Dollar Baby's ending is in no way factually accurate. For one thing, Maggie is supposed to be ventilator-dependent. If this is the case, then she shouldn't be able to speak with her trainer. Also, Maggie's death is extremely inaccurate. The adrenaline is shown to immediately stop her heart. In fact, an injection of adrenaline would only speed up her heart rate. Most disturbingly, Million Dollar Baby portrays an almost insulting view of disabilities. Essentially, the movie seems to say that paralyzed individuals have no quality of life. As a matter of fact, many paralyzed people have led full and amazing lives. Stephen Hawking is an excellent example of this. So, while Million Dollar Baby packs a punch (pun intended), it should be watched skeptically.

3. Just Like Heaven

Just Like Heaven, compared to the other entries on this list, is a far more lighthearted take on hospitals. Sure, it has blatantly incorrect hospital scenes. However, the movie is so fantastical that it's relatively harmless. The movie centers around Elizabeth, a young physician who experiences a terrible car crash. When a man named David moves into her apartment, he begins seeing a spirit version of her. This vision doesn't seem to remember the crash, nor understand why she's there. While figuring out this mystery, David and Elizabeth (of course) fall in love. By the end, the two discover that Elizabeth is in a coma. In order to reunite Elizabeth with her body, David and his friends attempt to steal her body. Sure, this doesn't work. However, the hospital security is incredibly and inaccurately lax. It becomes especially unrealistic when the ensuing fight knocks Elizabeth's breathing tube out. Instead of dragging David away to give Elizabeth a dignified death, security allows him to kiss her. While this wakes her up in the film, it would have resulted in immediate jail time.  Despite all this, Just Like Heaven is a fun romantic comedy that's worth checking out.

Sure, movies aren't obligated to accurately portray hospitals. However, some unrealistic depictions can become dangerous. Stay vigilant and take movies with a grain of salt.