CommentsXp Best movie ever!

Doomtomylo a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Voxitype Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

PiraBit if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

ThatMOVIENut Based on the quasi historical novel by T.C. Boyle, Alan Parker's adaptation tells of the hijinks up at the Battle Creek sanatorium at the end of the 19th century. It is a centre of health mania, headed up by the one and only Dr. Kellogg (Hopkins), who believes carnal impulses are dangerous, and clean bowels are the end all, be all of personal health and hygiene. A young couple enters (Broderick and Fonda) to seek healing of their own, while a young entrepreneur (Cusack) and a disgraced son of Kellogg (Carvey) attempt to launch their own breakfast cereal brand.A quirky & curious affair from the usually straight-laced veteran Parker, 'Wellville' boasts several enjoyable qualities. First off, we have a scene chewing Hopkins as Dr Kellogg, false teeth, cartoon accent and all, and he is a real treat to watch. The rest of the all-star cast all do satisfactory work, though none ever outshine Hopkins, with Broderick being mainly the suffering butt (pun very much intended) of the film's more anatomically-minded humour. Indeed, the playful contrast of period class and lowbrow gags does allow for a good few chuckles, and unlike your typical Sandler production, the sanatorium provides a decent context for the humour and is not gratuitous. This is all perfectly underscored by a zany soundtrack from romance veteran Rachel Portman, at points reminding me of Elfman's earlier works. However, the film's endgoal is not quite clear, and does sometimes undercut the fun; is it a health craze satire, a personal story of real human nature and how it shouldn't be suppressed, or just a wacky romp? It's all of that, and yet, no one element ever feels like the forefront of the film, with Parker more interested in seeing Broderick get pumped full of enemas and yoghurt than using it to make much of a point. Plus, the pacing does wind down by the end, and it feels like the film could wrap up sooner than it does.That being said, I enjoyed myself a lot more on the second go around with 'Wellville', now that my expectations had been tempered. It never fully achieves transcending period farce, but it's still perfectly watchable with enough strengths of its own to make for a unique title in Parker's distinguished catalogue.

borleyalpha I also can not fathom the low rating. One of only a small handful of comedies that I will watch repeatedly. As other reviewers have said, George young and old is great. It's a superb ensemble though. Hopkins performance as Dr. Kellogg easily rivals Dr. Lecter. For me Cusack's second best work. Colm Meaney's best without a doubt. Camryn Manheim's small but pivotal role always brings on a smile:) I only gave it 9 stars, but that's because I'm a tough critic. It's a spectacularly good movie. It just isn't at that stratospheric ten level. IE Star Wars IV combined with being seven years old, or Clerks. If you haven't seen it yet, do so.

aggietheo I never even knew about this film when it came out. Since I hear it only grossed 6.5 million that explains why. The producers probably didn't even keep in the theaters a week. I can't explain what makes a film flop at the box office, but this one certainly didn't deserve it.From start to finish I was totally enraptured by this witty story of a man who held views so controversial they are practically comical all by themselves. The movie is based on a novel which is a work of fiction, but it nevertheless draws its subject matter from some very true aspects of Dr. Kellogg's life that are quite unusual and almost always surprising. As these surprises are revealed to you throughout the film, they come as even more of a shock every time. There are a number of stories told throughout the sanitarium and each is a delight in and of itself. The stories all manage to interweave, sometimes in very comical ways, and despite their comedy, teach some very practical lessons. It is almost satirical.I give this film two thumbs up. Don't watch it in mixed company and it certainly isn't appropriate for children. But for those with a mature attitude and an appreciation of the health nut culture, it will make for a laugh-filled evening.

dannylectro-1 I have come to realize that my sense of humor is very much out of sync with mainstream film tastes. Frequently, I have seen a comedy that leaves me in hysterics, only to discover that it is loathed by the mainstream media and masses alike. "The Road To Wellville" is one of these films.When I first saw "The Road To Wellville" on Cinemax in the mid-nineties, I could not believe just how much crass and bawdy humor was packed into this film, and I could not stop laughing. Up to that time, I could not recall any other film so unashamedly filled with scatological references. I especially enjoyed the great Anthony Hopkins voicing the eccentric views of Dr. John Kellogg while defining a very strange but memorable character.Of course, the critics panned this film for the very reasons I initially loved it. Seeing it again, I can understand their revulsion. While the film is packed with many hilariously tasteless gags, the overall story is very erratic. The main plot involving Matthew Broderick's bizarre medical treatments is rather entertaining, but John Cusack's subplot is neither very funny nor well-written. By the three-quarters mark, the film loses momentum and becomes just another tedious romantic comedy. Such a shame, considering the outrageously satirical nature of the first few acts of this film. The laughs are there, but the story is not.