Movies: The Road to Wellville

[liveonearth]

Watched this movie last night. It was rather long, and we ran out of patience for it after a while, but it's worth viewing for any student of naturopathic medicine. It is a satire filmed mostly inside a Sanitarium reminiscent of those created by early naturopathic doctors. In keeping with naturopathic origins in central Europe, the presiding doctor (played by Anthony Hopkins) is a charismatic bigmouth who holds forth about the evils of sex and eating meat, and the value of a pristine alimentary canal.

I think the best way to view this would be with a crew of naturopathic students who are inebriated and rowdy. The music was frenetic and quite irritating by the end, and the movie was cheaply assembled and imperfect....it reminded me of the Rocky Horror Picture show, but lacked the appealing music. The most sympathetic character for us was George, a dirty bum and one of the doctor's many adopted sons. George was particularly resistant to brainwashing, and always won in battles against the doctor, though he was clearly disturbed.

Comments

[hausfrauatu.livejournal.com]

I really like that movie! (As well as the RHPS!) It's a bit of Michigan History. And yes, poor George.

I read the book years ago. It was much darker than the movie. Much more sexual content as well. It was good, but even more disturbing.

I would write more, but I have to go to rehearsal.

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

We've decided that we need to watch it again, and just start earlier and drink wine. We were too sober. I can see how the movie would be randomly hilarious if you were in the appropriate frame of mind.

How's the singing and danging at the same time? It sounds great!

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

Oh, what part of it is Michigan history? Kellogg? The Sanitorium? Thx.