Gross Anatomy (film)

Gross Anatomy is a 1989 American drama film about a brilliant first-year med student whose nonconformist approach to life is tested when he enrolls in gross anatomy, the toughest course in med school.
 * Directed by Thom Eberhardt. Written by Ron Nyswaner and Mark Spragg.

No one thought a rebel like Joe Slovak would make it through Medical School. But they didn't know Joe. taglines

Joe Slovak

 * [to his family after reading a letter from a med school] What? What's the matter? You never seen a medical student before?


 * [confronting Dr. Woodruff after his roommate was asked to leave medical school] He's human. Not superhuman, just human. He did what he thought he had to do because he wanted to be a doctor more than anything else in the world and you ruined this for him.

Dr. Woodruff

 * And now, now I just wonder about some of these brilliant doctors of mine. You know, with their minds for medicine and their hearts for, what, real estate. You know, I wonder what they'd say to some lonely terrified patient, who grabs their hand and says, "Can you explain this to me? Can you help me accept this? Can you at least sit with me so I don't feel so alone?" Well, I bet they don't say anything because I didn't teach them to.

Dialogue

 * Interviewer #1: Tell me. Joe or Joseph, why do you want to be a doctor?
 * Joe: That's easy. I want to help people.
 * Interviewer #1: Come on, Joe. You can be honest with me. Why do you want to be a doctor?
 * Joe: Well, uh. I want to make lots of money.


 * Interviewer #2: Let us imagine I am not talking to you. I am doing this interview with one of your old professors, and he is discussing your performance in his class.
 * Joe: Joe Slovak was a dedicated student. In fact, I could not teach him anything new. He was the one who taught me.


 * David: You know, when I filled out my housing application, I asked for a roommate who was quiet, serious, and neat. How did you describe yourself?
 * Joe: I lied.


 * Laurie: Are you following me?
 * Joe: Well, I have to you see. I've told everybody I know we're dating. So, you see I have to be seen with you outside of class or they'll think I'm lying.


 * Kim: [Kim is going into labor in a roadside cafe] Guys, I'm going to have this baby now!
 * Joe: Miles, give me your shirt!
 * Miles: What? This is silk!
 * Redneck: Some girl is having a kid, in here?? That's it, I'm outta here!
 * Redneck departs still holding bottles of ketchup and mustard

Taglines

 * No one thought a rebel like Joe Slovak would make it through Medical School. But they didn't know Joe.


 * It Takes Hard Work, Discipline, And Committment To Get Through Med School. But Joe's Never Done Anything By The Book.

Cast

 * Matthew Modine - Joe Slovak
 * Daphne Zuniga - Laurie Rorbach
 * Christine Lahti - Dr. Rachel Woodruff
 * Todd Field - David Schreiner
 * John Scott Clough - Miles Reed
 * Alice Carter - Kim McCauley
 * Robert Desiderio - Dr. Banks
 * Zakes Mokae - Dr. Banumbra