The Final Patient

This really isn't a bad film at all. In fact, it's a fairly good one, and is a refreshing change of pace for the horror genre nowadays in that it entirely hinges on character and performance. That is, until its misfired finale that is much too conventional and disappointing considering just how much build up is in this thing. The excellent veteran character actor Bill Cobbs shines in a rare lead role; it's a good thing that he should get such a major showcase for once. He plays a septuagenarian doctor / farmer with an ill wife who needs looking after. One day, on his property, a local kid is playing around and gets pinned under an old tractor. Dr. Dan (Cobbs) then proceeds to exhibit some superhuman strength and lift the tractor off of the boy so that he can be moved. Word of this miracle spreads to two college kids, Willy (Jason Scott Campbell) and Cameron (Alex Feldman), and Cameron is determined to find out all of Dans' big secrets - some of which he does reveal to him, in a standout sequence where Dan spills out his big back story, having heard of a powerful drug used by monks in ancient times which Dan has been able to replicate. As a result, he's in much better shape than he should by all rights be; he can outrun his dog, for one thing. But on the dark and stormy night that Willy and Cameron pay a supposedly social visit to the solicitous, friendly senior, bad things soon start happening. One element that helps bring "The Final Patient" down a peg or two is the way that co-writer / director Jerry Mainardi doesn't seem too keen on explaining just a bit more, at least in regards to the motivation of Dans' wife Elizabeth (Lizan Mitchell); what exactly is her deal? Affecting music and good acting can only do so much to keep this thing interesting; Campbell and Feldman aren't on a level with Cobbs, but deliver basically creditable performances; also on hand is another solid and under-rated actor, Guy Boyd (the sardonic detective in 1984's "Body Double") as the local sheriff. The film really is very light on horror until its final act, but the horror that takes place is nothing special. There's some good gore, but the makeup effects on Elizabeth really aren't that great. (One thing's for sure, and that's that the big reveal of her appearance wouldn't be as ineffective if it weren't advertised on the back of the Blu-ray cover.) Overall, this would have to rate as a nice try that just doesn't properly deliver in the end...especially given how clichéd that end is. Cobbs pushes up the rating by a point. Six out of 10.

Willy Jenkins (Jason Scott Campbell) and his greedy and cynical roommate Cameron Streckman (Alex Feldman) have just finished the medical school and are traveling together before starting residence. While driving through a country town where Willy spent his childhood, they stop for resting and having meal, and they hear an intriguing story about the strength of the retired physician and Willy's acquaintance Dr. Daniel Green (Bill Cobbs). They become curious and go to Dr. Green's farm where they meet the old man, who tells them that he lives alone with his sick wife and invites them to have dinner with him. While eating chili and drinking beer, Dr. Green tells the story about a miraculous Chinese medicine that he has been using for years, awakening greed in the ambitious Cameron with fatal consequences.

The low-budget "The Final Patient" develops and builds in low pace an intriguing story about an old good family man and physician, who misses his lost son Nathan and lives with his sick wife. There is an excellent criticism to the behavior of most doctors in North America that could be extended to many other countries where a great number of these professionals are mercenaries and interested only in making money. The performances, the screenplay and the direction are excellent regarding Dan, Cameron and Willy, but simply forget the key character of Elizabeth Green. Suddenly, this mysterious woman appears like an insane murder, trying to kill everybody and destroy her house without any clear explanation. My interpretation is that she was kept alive by her beloved husband against her will; then she becomes insane and addicted in the Chinese formula, triggering her murder instinct in the end, but I am not sure about the correctness of my viewpoint. Further, I do not know if the problem was with the script or restraining budget, but unfortunately something was missing regarding the development of the motives of Mrs. Green to make "The Final Patient" a great little film. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil): "O Último Paciente" ("The Last Patient")

The other reviewers are right. Horrible acting, horrible direction, and a half-witted story line make this one of the worst movies I ever rented. The movie is amateurish at best, and you're sure to find better films on youtube.com. They must've had like a 1,000 dollar budget. And it all went to Cobbs. I thought that little picture on the cover was for some independent film award, but it's obviously recognition for longest home video. It's not scary, nor suspenseful. It's actually an embarrassment to all movies that don't suck this much. My only question is this: Who is that idiot that gave it a good review? He must be blind, deaf AND stupid.

This movie was not only scary, but well executed. BIll Cobbs, Alex Feldman, and Jason Scott Campbell's chemistry added to making the whole story truly believable. Subtle hints throughout the movie explain the outcome of the movie, but of course, many of them are missed until you go back and think about what has happened. There were also some comedic scenes, such as in the bar, and the cocky behavior of Alex, (one of the medical students), as well as the conversations among the bar patrons, that will make you chuckle. The patrons in the sleepy little town where the movie was filmed, seems to be stuck in the seventies... or perhaps, its just small town America. The two college students are certainly a rude awakening to what America has become. A society with its main focus on money, success and greed. You will be taken by surprise as the events of this movie unfold. The story is well crafted and intriguing. Bill Cobbs is at his best!

THE FINAL PATIENT stars Bill Cobbs as Dr. Green, an aging small town physician with a severely ill wife. Despite his age, Green seems to possess superhuman strength and vitality. Two young med students are determined to learn his secret. Unfortunately, there's a hefty price for such knowledge.

Cobbs is excellent in his role, managing to be both kindly and mysterious. This movie is reminiscent of some of the better episodes of the old TV show NIGHT GALLERY from the 1970's.

It's nice and creepy with a malevolent twist. It's only real flaw is its length. About 10-15 minutes could have been shaved off to make it more tense...