Rating: 
Summary: Michael J. Fox in a Country Charmer!
Review: When future film critics decide to analyze the career of Michael J. Fox, they will likely say his talents were best suited to television, with an acknowledgement that he did star in the BACK TO THE FUTURE series. This will be a shame, as Fox has been an ingratiating, very enjoyable actor to watch, in most of his films, and DOC HOLLYWOOD is one of his best roles.As breezy, fast-talking Washington, D.C. surgeon Dr. Ben Stone, who dreams of making big money doing plastic surgery in Hollywood, but finds his true calling as a general practitioner in a small southern hamlet, Fox is so 'right' that you can't imagine any other actor in the role. After a minor traffic accident enroute to California forces him to do 'public service' in fictional Grady, South Carolina, taking on much of the workload of a crusty old local physician (the always enjoyable Barnard Hughes), Stone becomes the 'talk' of the town, and rustic but wise Mayor Nick Nicholson (David Ogden Stiers, in one of his most engaging performances), starts 'selling' the joys of country life to the cosmopolitan young doctor. A quilt with 'magical' powers provides a nude vision of the girl he's destined to love, 'Lou' (Julie Warner), who turns out to be working at his office; his hormone-fueled pursuit of her, and her pragmatic 'indifference' to his flirtations make their gradual romance edgy and fun to watch. In a town full of colorful characters, two 'stars in the making' stand out; Woody Harrelson, as 'Lou's' suitor, Hank Gordon, a country variation of his bartending character from 'Cheers', talks dumb but has a knack for selling, only lacking a place to make big money at it; and Bridget Fonda, as Mayor Nicholson's oversexed but 'out of place' daughter, hopes Stone will take her away to the bright lights of Hollywood. Both stars are terrific in their supporting roles, and show the charisma that would lead them to stardom. DOC HOLLYWOOD is full of charming vignettes, from Stone vicariously reading the mail for an illiterate farm couple, to being paid for services rendered with a rather large pig, who ultimately becomes his 'pet'. The film abounds in warm comic touches that are guaranteed to bring a smile! With a very funny cameo by George Hamilton, as the Hollywood plastic surgeon Stone dreams of working with, DOC HOLLYWOOD hits all the right notes for a terrific entertainment. My only complaint about the film is that it was actually filmed in Florida; as a South Carolina resident, I can attest that MANY of our small towns could have doubled quite nicely for Grady... DOC HOLLYWOOD is a film I'm proud to have in my collection!
Rating:
Summary: Warm and funny
Review: With its "hardened city boy recognizes what is important in life" plot, as predictable as that might be, I found this movie to be warm, funny, and poignant. It fits my general criteria defining a good movie in that the lead characters were likeable with a good chemistry, the story is sufficient to keep my attention, and it has a happy ending. I have always enjoyed the romantic comedy genre and this movie fits the mold well. The chemistry between Michael J. Fox and Julie Warner is good and the interplay with the other characters (played by David Ogden Stiers, Barnard Hughes, etc.) is enjoyable to watch. Coupled with the small town setting in rural GA, its simple truths and more relaxed view of life are vaguely reminiscent of the old Andy of Mayberry TV show - and that's not a bad thing. While not the type of movie that ever receives critical recognition, this movie is simply a pleasure to watch. It does something I find all too rare in the films that tend to be recognized in the "let's-give-ourselves-another-award-for-making-a-deep-dark-and-brooding-film" world of the awards shows - Doc Hollywood left me feeling good and I enjoyed the time I spent watching it. Some would call this solely a "chick flick" but I grade it as a good, light romance for all and a DVD that's a must in your collection for those days when you just feel a desire to watch something "happy".
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