The Road to Wellville (1994 ), Film Review

Script/Screenplay

Sometimes you come across a film that provides a glimpse into another time or world, The Road to Wellville does both.  Based on the book by T Coraghessan, the screenplay  is written and directed by  Alan Parker.

The story is set in Battle Creek, Michigan, USA – a town more affectionately known  as ‘Cereal City’.  In the early 1900’s the town was booming with breakfast pioneers.  Non more famous than Kellogg’s.  However, The Road to Wellville isn’t a Kellogg’s cereal origin story, no, it tells the tale of Dr John Harvey Kellogg and his world famous (at the time) wellness retreat ‘Battle Creek Sanitarium’, his unorthodox health treatments,  and some of the residents who chose to pay and stay.  Parker, who by the time of the film’s production had mostly created hard hitting dramas, thrillers, and musicals (FAME , Mississippi Burning and The Commitments) turns his hand to bringing Coraghessan’s words to life, creating a kind of anarchic comedy and satire that can be explained as channelling both Carry-On films and Monty Python humour into one film.

The film opens with Anthony Hopkins as Doctor Kellogg, sitting on a rotating toilet with his feet in buckets of ice, talking to Journalists about the virtues of clean bowels.

Interviewer:
Sir, how often should one evacuate one’s bowels?

Dr. John Harvey Kellogg:
One should never, ever, interrupt one’s desire to defecate.  I have inquired at the Bronx and London Zoos as to the daily bowel evacuations of primates.  It is not once, twice, or three times, sir, but four.  At the end of an average day, their cages are filled with a veritable mountain of natural health.

That’s when you the viewer find out this is not your usual docudrama.  We are also introduced to William and Eleanor Lightbody (Matthew Broderick and Bridget Fonda), as they travel to the Sanitarium, alongside a chance encounter with fellow traveller and entrepreneur Charles Ossining (John Cusack).  Battle Creek attracts people like a moth to a flame, once these initial introductions are over, Parker lets the film loose, and what a ride he takes us on.  Through the Lightbody’s we get to experience the Sanatorium in full swing.  Upon arrival, the couple are separated, with the doctor prescribing William Lightbody immediate medical assistance and whisks him away to be ‘cared for’.  It’s a clever plot device as it allows Parker to show off Dr.Kellogg at the height of his powers, extolling the virtues of avoiding sex, meat, smoking and masturbation.   The doctor subjects Mr. Lightbody to his madcap machines including electrocution baths for flatulence, leather saddles and enemas…lots of enemas, not to mention an unhealthy fascination with yoghurt.  What is surprising is the level of character development Parker introduces to the Lightbody couple, especially Mrs Lightbody.  As the film progresses,  we get to see the reason why Eleanor has dragged her poor suffering husband along.  As her story unfolds, it goes into quite a dark unexpected place.   Mr Lightbody’s development is a lot lighter and takes him on a journey of self-discovery.  Dr Kellogg’s mantra of:“

An erection is a flagpole on your grave.”

Seemingly being ignored as he finds his sexual mojo with a Sanatorium patient and Nurse Graves.  That’s until he discovers the bodies start dropping and has a bit of meltdown.  Maybe Dr Kellogg’s road does not lead to wellness for everybody?

Parker doesn’t just focus on Kellogg and the Lightbody’s, there is an attempt to look at the wider Battle Creek area by introducing supporting characters with their own story, so we end up watching a string of subplots based on individuals.  We see Charles Ossining and his shady business partner Goodloe Bender (Michael Lerner) attempting to set up a rival cornflake business.  Their activities are so disconnected from the main story, for a long time I wondered what they added to the film.  Then we have Dr Kellogg’s estranged, adopted, and alcoholic son – George Kellogg who just adds the anarchy on screen.  Weirdly Parker makes the decision to spend a fair amount of screen time giving us a back story on George and the Doctor’s relationship via my pet hate – the flashback.  Through these scenes we see why George turned out to become the nuisance he is now . The flashbacks contrast in tone to the main story as Parker forgets the comedy and punishments, George is subjected to what would constitute child abuse if carried out today.  Parker also frames the story as a satirical swipe at the alternative health industry and its many quacks, so he also includes a  German ‘ Massage’ Specialist and even Colm Meany pops up as a doctor from the American Vegetarian Society.   At times these make you feel that you are watching several different films rolled up into one.

I get that Parker is attempting to convey the excitement and atmosphere of 1900’s Battle Creek but at times this results in the supporting characters fighting for screen time and culminates in a very clumsy third act, whilst he attempts to tie all the plots together

“Sex is the sewer drain of a healthy body, sir!  Any use of the sexual act other than procreation is a waste of vital energy!  Wasted seeds are wasted lives!”
– Dr. John Harvey Kellogg: