DOCTOR DOLITTLE 1998
A film review by Timothy Voon
Copyright 1998 Timothy Voon
1 :-) for the talking animals
Directed by Betty Thomas. Cast Eddie Murphy, Ossie Davis, Oliver Platt, Richard Schiff, Kristen Wilson, Jeffrey Tambor Written by Hugh Lofting, Nat Mauldin, Larry Levin
There's probably one thing that annoys me more than a rude, verbose, hyperactive Eddie Murphy, and that would be – smart-mouthed, lip malleable, talking animals. So, I had every reason to dislike this movie from the outset, but instead I decided to sit back and re-evaluate my life. After momentarily journeying to the depths of my soul and relieving myself of the hate I bore for the ones named Murphy and talking animals, I decided to enjoy the holiday spirit of the movie.
This movie is great for the kids. They love animals and they love animals that talk, even more. Eddie is well behaved, and if I had to choose between watching him as a smart mouthed BEVERLY HILLS COP, or as a disillusioned MD who can talk to animals – MD wins hands down. The animals are o.k. Yes they generate great one liners, with style and human expression thanks to Jim Henson and co.
In the opening credits of the movie, it is stated that the movie is based on Hugh Lofting's children's books of the same name. To clarify this further, I will say that they are only very, very, very loosely based on the novels. In fact the only thing vaguely resembling Lofting's characters is the name Dolittle and of course the talking animals.
The plot is simple. Dolittle (Murphy) has the gift of talking to animals. A gift that he has repressed since childhood, and only recently been awoken since hitting a stray dog with his car. After this, the Doctor mostly psychologically counsels animals about their bowel habits, sex life and numerous psychiatric disorders. By keeping the plot simple, and the focus on the talking animals and away from Eddie Murphy, the children will remain delighted and 20th Century Fox has another potential box office hit on their hands.
Timothy Voon
e-mail: stirling@netlink.com.au
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