Bad Medicine (film)
Encyclopedia
Bad Medicine is a 1985 comedy film starring Steve Guttenberg
, Alan Arkin
, and Julie Hagerty
. The film was written and directed by Harvey Miller, and was based on the novel Calling Dr. Horowitz, by Steven Horowitz, MD and Neil Offen.
The film was criticized for its negative ethnic stereotypes. Although the film is set "Somewhere in Central America
," it was filmed entirely in Spain
. It was released by 20th Century Fox
, and was one of three 1985 films to feature Hagerty in a starring role, the others being Lost in America
and Goodbye, New York
.
s, is sent by his father (Bill Macy
) to a seemingly sub-standard medical school in Central America
. Jeffrey eventually discovers the plight of local villagers in need of medical assistance. With the help of fellow students (including romantic interest Hagerty), he illegally provides medical services to the villagers. Eventually, the school's authoritarian dean (Arkin) discovers the students' activities and decides to prosecute. However, the dean dismisses the charges at the urging of the villagers.
Rumor has it that the film is a parody to the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, in Guadalajara, Mexico. The film is actually banned in this school.
Steve Guttenberg
Steven Robert "Steve" Guttenberg is an American actor and comedian. He became well known during the 1980s, after a series of starring roles in major Hollywood films, including Cocoon, Three Men and a Baby, Police Academy, and Short Circuit.-Early life:Guttenberg was born in Brooklyn, New York, the...
, Alan Arkin
Alan Arkin
Alan Wolf Arkin is an American actor, director, musician and singer. He is known for starring in such films as Wait Until Dark, The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, Catch-22, The In-Laws, Edward Scissorhands, Glengarry Glen Ross, Marley & Me, and...
, and Julie Hagerty
Julie Hagerty
Julie Hagerty is an American actress and former model.-Early life:Hagerty was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, the daughter of Harriet Yuellig, a model and singer, and Jerry Hagerty, a musician. Her brother Michael Hagerty was also an actor. Her parents later divorced. Hagerty attended Indian Hill High...
. The film was written and directed by Harvey Miller, and was based on the novel Calling Dr. Horowitz, by Steven Horowitz, MD and Neil Offen.
The film was criticized for its negative ethnic stereotypes. Although the film is set "Somewhere in Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
," it was filmed entirely in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. It was released by 20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
, and was one of three 1985 films to feature Hagerty in a starring role, the others being Lost in America
Lost in America
Lost in America is a 1985 comedy film directed by Albert Brooks that was co-written by Brooks with Monica McGowan Johnson. Brooks stars alongside Julie Hagerty.-Plot:...
and Goodbye, New York
Goodbye, New York
Goodbye, New York is a 1985 film, starring Julie Hagerty as a New York woman who gets stranded in a kibbutz in Israel.-Plot summary:A young New York woman, devastated to find out that her husband has been cheating on her, decides to hop a plane to Paris to get away...
.
Plot
Below-average pre-medical student Jeffrey Marx (Guttenberg), after being rejected by prestigious medical schoolMedical school
A medical school is a tertiary educational institution—or part of such an institution—that teaches medicine. Degree programs offered at medical schools often include Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Bachelor/Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, master's degree, or other post-secondary...
s, is sent by his father (Bill Macy
Bill Macy
Bill Macy is an American television and stage actor.Macy was born in Revere, Massachusetts, to Mollie and Michael Garber, a manufacturer...
) to a seemingly sub-standard medical school in Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
. Jeffrey eventually discovers the plight of local villagers in need of medical assistance. With the help of fellow students (including romantic interest Hagerty), he illegally provides medical services to the villagers. Eventually, the school's authoritarian dean (Arkin) discovers the students' activities and decides to prosecute. However, the dean dismisses the charges at the urging of the villagers.
Rumor has it that the film is a parody to the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, in Guadalajara, Mexico. The film is actually banned in this school.