The Road to Wellville (1994)

Director:

Alan Parker

Writers (WGA):

T. Coraghessan Boyle (novel)
Alan Parker (screenplay)

Release Date:

28 October 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | History

Tagline:

A comedy of the heart and other organs.

Plot:

A story about the ins and outs of one unusual health facility in the early 20th century, run by the eccentric Dr. Kellogg.

Plot Keywords:

Health | Sex | Masturbation | Patient | Cornflakes

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Anthony Hopkins	...	Dr. John Harvey Kellogg
Bridget Fonda	...	Eleanor Lightbody
Matthew Broderick	...	William Lightbody
John Cusack	...	Charles Ossining
Dana Carvey	...	George Kellogg
Michael Lerner	...	Goodloe Bender
Colm Meaney	...	Dr. Lionel Badger
John Neville	...	Endymion Hart-Jones
Lara Flynn Boyle	...	Ida Muntz
Traci Lind	...	Nurse Irene Graves
Camryn Manheim	...	Virginia Cranehill
Roy Brocksmith	...	Poultney Dab
Norbert Weisser	...	Dr. Spitzvogel
Monica Parker	...	Mrs. Tindermarsh
Jacob Reynolds	...	Young George Kellogg

Runtime:

118 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR | SDDS

Certification:

Finland:K-3 | Iceland:L | South Korea:18 | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Germany:12 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:13 | UK:18 | USA:R | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, New York, USA

Company:

Beacon Communications

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Mr. Unpronounceable is dead, you can see him breathing.

Quotes:

Dr. John Harvey Kellogg: An erection is a flagpole on your grave.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Action: Blowhard (#1.4)" (1999)

Soundtrack:

Laughing Song

Surprised at the ratings!

After seeing a part of the movie for the tenth time or so (this one seems to be playing a lot on one of the satellite movie channels), I figured it was high time to give it a rating. I was very surprised and disappointed to see that it rated so low overall, as I've always enjoyed the movie (over and over again!). I'm beginning to think that the general movie-viewing public has become too generic in their tastes, and don't have an appreciation for throwback oddball comedies such as The Road to Wellville. If that's so, it's a real shame! Ah well, to each their own! As for me, I love the movie's offbeat and subdued humor, with much of the cast greatly contributing to why I'm kept smiling. George (both the youth and adult versions), is especially hilarious-- "Meat and Potatoes!", "Give us a hug", and simply his appearance in both forms. I've always liked John Cusack and Matthew Broderick, so having them together in a movie such as this was a treat. And what a role for Anthony Hopkins-- a far cry from Hannibal Lector! The period nature of the movie was likewise attractive... oh how it would be fun to be able to step back into a setting such as that, though I'll pass on the cleansing processes!