Docteurs in love

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 But, as a mild spoof comedy of medical soap operas using humor that is somewhat outdated (on the order of like old dirty-joke joke books), it may best be reserved for the spoof cult crowd who can appreciate it best.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).

Dr. Joseph Prang (Dabney Coleman) teaches the new batch of interns at City Hospital for the next twelve months. A mob boss in hiding has a heart attack. Angelo (Hector Elizondo) takes him to the hospital in disguise while hunted by a hit-man (Michael Richards). Intern Phil Burns (Taylor Negron) likes hard-nosed head nurse Norine Sprockett (Pamela Reed). Popular intern Dr. Bucky DeVol (Ted McGinley) falls for hooker Julie. Intern Dr. Stephanie Brody (Sean Young) is suffering from mysterious pains. Dr. Simon August (Michael McKean) is cold but can't help falling for Stephanie. He is desperate to be a surgeon but can't stand the sight of blood.

This Garry Marshall movie is part spoof of a soap opera like General Hospital in the vein of 'Airplane!'. There are some funny bits. I still remember the urine scene. However, the comedic jokes don't come quite as fast and furious as 'Airplane!'. It's pretty broad but not all of it works. The cameos don't work on me since I don't watch soap operas. Sean Young is great and her character is classic soap material. Michael McKean is less capable as a leading man. He doesn't have charisma. His character is suppose to be stiff but it doesn't work if the actor is too good at it. Overall, this needs more jokes.

This, one could say, a uniquely fascinating spoof on hospitals, did provide some moments of real belly laughs. Not to say, this film isn't completely without flaws. The film has a number of likeable actors, some uncredited soapie stars, as well as a pre Seinfeld crazy, as is a great 95 minutes of spoof entertainment, while kind of at times, it feels more serious, if you judge the underlying story as to med student, Young's, ailing plight. Hector Elizondo of course, steals the movie as a disguised gangster figure, who's hiding his crime boss father in City Memorial, as being a marked man. A lot of jokes work, where some just sag, but there's a lot of clever ones at play, where some won't wash, but you admire the film for the clever ones. I really liked Michael Mckean (an ex Laverne And Shirley favorite) in this, as the no nonsense, "aspiring to be the greatest surgeon that ever lived" med student, a totally serious, likeable contrast, as to all the other hang back, partying collegues, and Dabney Coleman, the other top performance in this, shows us again, why he's such a great adept and versatile actor. YDIL is a standalone spoof, with some bouncing breasts, skating nurses, falls, spills, forgotten soapie star cameo's, even, a rectified too sudden actors. 7.5/10

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!

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.