🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Robert Altman
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
- Release year: 2000
- Runtime (length): 2h 2min
- IMDb rating: 4.7/10 (21K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 34%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A gynecologist gets tired of women so a tornado drops him in Mexico where he’s finally happy delivering a baby BOY!
🍿 Dr. T & the Women: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Dr. T’s Ideal Life
Dr. Sullivan Travis, known as Dr. T, is a successful and wealthy gynecologist in Dallas, Texas. He enjoys a seemingly perfect life surrounded by the women he cherishes: his wife, Kate, his two daughters, Dee Dee and Connie, and a constant stream of adoring patients. He prides himself on understanding and caring for women, believing they are inherently special.

Cracks in the Facade
Dr. T’s idyllic world begins to crumble when his wife, Kate, experiences a mental breakdown, leading to erratic behavior and eventual institutionalization. This event deeply shakes Dr. T, forcing him to confront the fragility of his carefully constructed reality. Simultaneously, his eldest daughter, Dee Dee, prepares for her wedding, harboring a secret lesbian relationship with her maid of honor, Marilyn. Connie, Dr. T’s youngest daughter, immerses herself in conspiracy theories.

Seeking Solace
Amid the chaos, Dr. T finds himself drawn to Bree, a golf instructor who offers him a different perspective on life and relationships. Unlike the other women in his life, Bree is independent and doesn’t require his constant care. Their connection provides a brief respite from the turmoil, but also highlights the imbalances in his relationships with other women.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Dr. T (Richard Gere): A wealthy Dallas gynecologist whose seemingly perfect life unravels as the women around him experience crises.
- Bree (Helen Hunt): A golf instructor who offers Dr. T comfort and a different perspective as his life falls apart.
- Kate (Farrah Fawcett): Dr. T’s wife who suffers a nervous breakdown due to a life perceived as too perfect.
- Dee Dee (Kate Hudson): Dr. T’s eldest daughter who is planning her wedding but secretly in love with her maid of honor.
- Peggy (Laura Dern): Dr. T’s sister-in-law who is an alcoholic and meddles in the affairs of his family.
- Carolyn (Shelley Long): Dr. T’s loyal secretary who harbors unrequited romantic feelings for him.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Bree Davis: “You see women all day, every day. How do they keep from just runnin’ together?” – Bree expresses her curiosity about Dr. T’s perspective on women due to his profession.
- Dr. Sullivan “Sully” Travis, “Dr. T”: “I think every single woman I’ve ever met has got somethin’ special about her, somethin’ that sets her apart from the rest.” – Dr. T responds to Bree’s question, conveying his idealized view of women.
- Bree Davis: “Well, if a gynecologist says there’s no two alike, I guess there’s no two alike!” – Bree humorously acknowledges Dr. T’s unique insight into women’s individuality.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $23,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $13,113,041
- Worldwide Gross: $22,844,291
💥 Dr. T & the Women Reviews
Personal Review
I went into this movie not knowing what to expect, and I came out feeling like I’d experienced something truly unique. Richard Gere was surprisingly great as Dr. T, and the ensemble cast of women were all fantastic in their own quirky ways. The ending was definitely out there, but it left me thinking about the movie long after the credits rolled. I was laughing hysterically. This will be movie that you either love or hate – there is no in-between.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Robert Altman’s ensemble films”
- “Viewers interested in satirical comedies about societal expectations”
- “Those who enjoy films with open-ended interpretations”
- “Viewers interested in a cast of well-known actors and actresses”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Brief female nudity”
- “Mature themes related to marriage and relationships”
- “Discussion of mental health issues”
- “Some strong language”
- “Lesbian themes”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb: “Altman’s signature style shines in this satirical look at wealthy Texas women and the man who caters to them. Gere delivers a charming performance, but the film’s quirky humor and overlapping dialogue might not appeal to all viewers. Ultimately, a sweet film with some bizarre touches in its satire of the bourgeois.
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Dr. T & the Women is a flawed gem. While the performances are generally good, particularly from Gere, the film is hampered by a meandering plot and an ending that feels tacked on and bizarre. It’s not for everyone, but Altman fans may find something to appreciate in its quirky charm.
- Film Critic: “This is a hit-and-miss movie but worth seeing for some good performances. It is probably unhelpful to approach it as though it was a full-blooded satire on wealthy Texas women; It’s a long way from the vintage Altman of Mash, Nashville and The Player; but is still richer than most Hollywood fare.
Audience Reactions
The all-star female cast delivered captivating performances, each bringing a unique layer to the story.: Viewers praised the film’s witty dialogue and the exploration of complex relationships, even though some found the plot disjointed.
Richard Gere’s charming portrayal of Dr. T resonated with many viewers.: Many viewers appreciated the movie’s exploration of societal expectations and the challenges faced by women in high society.
Overall Consensus: Dr. T & the Women is a quirky and uneven film that may not appeal to everyone, but it offers moments of genuine charm and thought-provoking commentary on relationships and societal expectations. The live birth is shocking and very graphic
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “To make Farrah Fawcett more comfortable for her nude scene in the fountain, director Robert Altman cleared the set except for essential crew. She refused to do the scene without the extras, stating she wasn’t embarrassed by her body. She performed the scene completely naked and received a standing ovation.”
- “The film features many of Altman’s trademarks, including overlapping dialogue and a satirical look at a specific profession (in this case, gynecology).”
- “The opening credits are unique: actors have their names appear in a plain sans serif font, while actresses have their names in a flowing script font.”
🖥️ How to Watch Dr. T & the Women?
Dr. T & the Women is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Check local listings for availability on cable providers. While not currently streaming on major subscription services like Netflix or Hulu, it’s always worth checking as availability can change.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Dr. T & the Women, you might like these similar films:
- A Wedding (1978): Another Robert Altman ensemble piece showcasing chaotic social dynamics within a large group of characters during a wedding.
- The Player (1992): Shares Altman’s signature style of satire and features a large ensemble cast with interconnected storylines, focusing on the eccentricities of a particular profession or setting.
- Cookie’s Fortune (1999): Another Robert Altman film set in the South, featuring quirky characters and dark humor, exploring themes of family dynamics and small-town life.
🛒 Dr. T & the Women Related Products
- Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: On Top of the World: A documentary about the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Offers an inside look at the world of professional cheerleading, featuring interviews and behind-the-scenes footage of practices.
- Texas Shaped Cutting Board: Texas Shaped Cutting Board, Serving Tray, Charcuterie Board, Decorative Sign. This bamboo cutting board is a great way to add a little Texas flair to your kitchen.
- Golf Club Set: Callaway Men’s Strata Complete Golf Set is designed for maximum performance right out of the box. The lightweight 460cc forged driver, fairway wood, hybrid, irons and putter make up a set that delivers distance, forgiveness and control.
- Texas Tornado Cookbook: Over 250 recipes! The recipes in Texas Tornado are just as strong and full of energy. There are no fillers, just a big taste of Texas and Southern cuisine in every bite.
🎧 Soundtrack
Dr. T & the Women features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The Hestia Complex, as presented in the film, is a fictional psychological condition where a woman regresses to a childlike state because she is “loved too much” and has everything she desires. It’s used as an explanation for Dr. T’s wife’s breakdown, but is widely considered a contrived plot device.
The ending is open to interpretation. Some see it as Dr. T escaping the overwhelming demands of the women in his life and finding a simpler, more meaningful purpose. Others view it as a critique of his previous idealized view of women and a realization of the complexities of life and relationships. The birth of a boy symbolizes the next chapter in Dr. T’s life.
The film’s portrayal of women has been a subject of debate. Some critics argue that it reinforces negative stereotypes, while others contend that it satirizes societal expectations placed on women. The film’s intent and effectiveness in this regard are subjective and depend on individual interpretation.
🔥 Bonus Content
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders on Dr. T & the Women (2000)
Did you know the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders made a cameo in ‘Dr. T & the Women’? It’s a fun little scene, and this video gives you a peek at their involvement. I thought it was pretty cool to see them in a movie like this!
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