Doc Hollywood

Doc Hollywood starring Michael J. Fox, Julie Warner and Woody Harrelson centers on a young doctor (Fox) on the way to a big interview in the "big city," who causes an accident in a small town and is sentenced to work in the town's hospital. While there he finds love with one of the locals (Warner), runs into trouble with her devoted pursuer (Harrelson), and, eventually, finds the heart he lost to blind ambition. This story, although definitely not original, is disarmingly charming and warms your heart after each viewing.

It's cast brilliantly with actors whose charisma rivals even Fox's. Woody Harrelson, for instance, utters one of my all-time favorite lines, "There's a man in the toilet selling aftershave. Now, what's that all about?" His dead-pan humor in a strong Southern accent are dead-on and secure his place as one of my favorite comedic actors.

Warner's a small-town girl, but she's no fool. She knows it's suicide to fall in love with Doc Hollywood if he's simply "passing through." Warner is perfect, emitting that no-nonsense attitude I'm sure came from being a native New Yorker, while still being the epitome of wholesome, glowing golden in the country sunshine.

And Michael J. Fox's clever wit personified the sophisticated smugness of "the city," while that signature "Fox charm" warmed him up to the small-town folks. He's always been a ladies' man, always enjoyed a challenge, and in this film, he rose to the occasion beautifully.

George Hamilton, Bridget Fonda and Barnard Hughes round out the cast; each beguiling us with megawatt smiles, blunt Southern sayings, and impeccable comedic timing. The cast turned what could have been merely a by-the-numbers rom-com into a memorable flick that I can't help but watch each time it's on. It's definitely on my wish-list.