The Good Doctor

Sometimes films lead you through a series of events where the audience is guessing the main character's motivation until the reveal at the conclusion.  Other times, viewers will be left scratching their heads when absolutely no explanation of a character's actions are provided and the movie ends on a sour note.  The latter is the case with The Good Doctor - a flawed film showcasing the fact that Orlando Bloom (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy) can play dark roles.

Only a few weeks into his residency, Dr. Martin Blake (Orlando Bloom) is eager to impress those around him.  However, things are just not going as he planned.  His colleague Dan (Troy Garity, Boss) is finding quick success.  One of the head nurses (Taraji P. Henson, Person of Interest) complains nonstop about his illegible handwriting on paperwork.  An orderly (Michael Pena, End of Watch) annoys him with unprofessional behavior.  The only positive at work seems to be Diane (Riley Keough, The Runaways) a young patient with a minor kidney infection.  To keep her close, Dr. Blake switches her medications with sugar pills which begins a dangerous game of balance between Diane's health and Dr. Blake's need for her to remain at the hospital.

Besides the minor frustrations at work, and the fact that he seems to miss his family because he stares at a picture of them once, no motivation for Dr. Blake's actions is ever given.  Granted, Orlando Bloom does a fantastic job playing this oddball role, but it's all for naught.  The only interesting plot development occurs in the last third of the movie and, without providing spoilers, should have occured at the onset of the film.  The cast of The Good Doctor is unbelievably talented, yet most of them are wasted in minor roles (including the great J.K. Simmons in a few short scenes).  Having such talented actors in such minor roles makes me wonder if several scenes were cut which would have helped to explain the overall story.

Bloom's performance and the atmospheric tone of the film standout, but ultimately cannot save The Good Doctor.  Two short "making of" features are included in this Blu-Ray, but one is actually an edited version of the other which appeared on AXS TV.  That sort of oversight is disgraceful.  Unless posters of Legolas cover your walls, cancel your appointment with The Good Doctor.