Küss mich, Doc

Young Doctors in Love reminds me of the early 80s comedies Meatballs, Johnny Dangerously, and Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid. Spoof comedies that, despite the abundance of gags and running gags, just can't quite seem to match the comedic brilliance of something like Airplane. Although, Young Doctors in Love certainly fares better than some of the others, it too, offers humor that may wear thin after several viewings (Airplane, on the other hand seems to remain of timeless quality).

The film follows a handful of med school interns, although the movie itself really focuses on 1) the relationship between the emotionally void Dr. Simon August (Michael McKean) and the melodramatic, and soon-to-ailing love interest, Dr. Stephanie Brody (Sean Young); 2) the bizarre budding relationship between Dr. Phil Burns (played by the hilarious 80s bit-part regular, Taylor Negron) and the somewhat held-back but probably secretly kinky Nurse Norine Sprockett (Pamela Reed); and 3) my particular favorite, the interaction between Dr. Charles Litto and Angelo Bonafetti (played famously by Hector Elizando who's best was the deadpan delivery of "I used to play guitar and then I broke it over my brothers head and then I went to work"), a mobster who disguises himself as a woman to get his father in the hospital who is meanwhile always unsuccessfully threatened to be bumped off by his mafia rival, Malamud Callahan (played by a young Michael Richards).

There is a lot of course going on in the film, and it even uses the old PA background gags like we heard in Airplane and Meatballs. And it does have it's funny moments. But, as a mild spoof comedy of medical soap operas using humor that is somewhat outdated (on the order of like old dirty-joke joke books), it may best be reserved for the spoof cult crowd who can appreciate it best. If nothing else, tune it in to see big names in the old days (like Dabney Coleman, Harry Dean Stanton, Billie Bird, and more).

A friend of mine knew I loved the movies "Repossessed" and "Silence of the Hams" along with the Zucker and Brooks films and introduced me to this one. Just as funny as those, this movie struck me with having just as many of the stars of the day as well as several up and coming future stars such as Ted McGinley, Richard Dean Anderson, Crystal Bernard, Rick Overton, Saul Rubinek and Michael Richards as a very Krameresque hit-man trying to bump off a underworld figure in the hospital. The main plot isn't as good as the sub-plots, but there's also some light nudity in order to really get your attention. Some of the jokes were later stolen to use in other parodies, but I was surprised to see an "E.T." reference since I was sure this movie predated that one. I don't know if this was shown theatrically, but I do consider myself lucky enough to find it on tape.

Dr. Prang (DabneyColeman) is in surgery as he welcomes the new residents under his direction. Amid nips and tucks, he asks the gang to introduce themselves. Dr. Stephanie (Sean Young) says she is from Vermont and wants to practice rural medicine, like her father, in her home state. Others say they are interested in allergy care, pediatrics, or some other field. Then comes Dr. Simon (Michael McKean) who declares he is going to be a "great surgeon". Yes, he's brash but serious. The other residents laugh behind his back, as he is a buttoned-down stiff. Meanwhile, a mafioso who has been in hiding from a rival crime family, with his son Angelo (Hector Elizondo), suffers a stroke and can't speak. Disguising himself as a woman, the new "Angela" takes him to the hospital where he is given a private room. But, ho ho ho, the rival gang gets the info and sends bumbling henchman Malamud (Michael Richards) to knock him off at the first chance. Also, head nurse (Pamela Reed) keeps the key to the medicine cabinet around her neck and tolerates NOTHING. With Dr. Prang on the phone with his accountant more than instructing his underling doctors, this all might not end too well. In addition, will Stephanie fall for Simon, even as she has some ailment which makes her faint from time to time? This very funny film is not quite on par with Airplane! or Naked Gun but it has wonderful scenes, comedy, and gags. Richards is a hoot, long before Seinfeld, as he can't seem to knock off a stroke victim. just as the Coyote can't defeat the Roadrunner. Young and McKean make a nice, attractive twosome and the rest of the cast is good as well. Expect eighties costumes and just average sets and photography. Alas, there are a few risque situations. But, you will definitely have to watch it more than once to catch all of the rapid fire comedy elements. Young or old, you will love it!

When I was younger, this was one of my favorite movies. Don't ask why... just accept it. I remembered the little things. Michael McKean cutting out the pinatas appendix as a child. The kids imitating Sean Young as she goes into convulsions during a dance class. Gary Friedkin trying to hang up the phone (he's a 'little person'... you know the scene.) The Philadelphia F'in Philharmonic. Harry Dean Stanton... as though you need anything more, right?

I bought a used copy in the late 90s and watched it again... oh boy... nowhere near the film I thought it was. Then I realized it followed up Airplane! and several other like-minded spoofs of the day. It was confused in a lot of ways, as though it wanted to be raunchy but wasn't sure how to do it.

I still like the film in bits... some of them are genuinely funny. But as others said, it has a genuine sitcom feel to it. This is Marshall's first film after having worked in television for over 20 years and considering his track record since, you can tell he learned a few things from this film. After this, he went on to make Pretty Woman, the Runaway Bride, and Frankie & Johnny, all of which are decent films. Of course he also directed Exit to Eden (Rosie O'Donnell and Dan Aykroyd in bondage-wear? OUCH!) but we'll forgive him for that...

This is a great movie. The two subplots are almost better than the main storyline. I've always liked Michael McKean and it was nice to see him in a serious role. If you used to be hooked on General Hospital and recognize the characters in their cameo roles it's even funnier. It's very seldom seen on television but well worth watching, even though they will cut it up a bit.